The number of people cycling in the Republic of Ireland has exploded during the Covid19 lock-down period, with more than twice as many people no riding a bike when compared with last year.
Polling company Ipsos
MRBI has conducted a nationwide study of the population on behalf of Sport
Ireland and it shows sport activity generally has increased by 51 per cent and
that cycling has surged by more than 100 per cent.
People were polled in a study conducted in five phases between February and May and it showed that 510,000 people reported they were cycling, compared to 250,000 during the same period last year.
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The polling has concluded that 710,000 participants were
involved in general exercise with a further 680,000 running and 510,000 people
were cycling.
The research also found the new of adults stating they
were not involved in any form of sport or exercise was just 11 per cent of
those polled, down from 22 per cent last year.
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Stickybottle has reported in recent days that bike shops were booming in Ireland, with the results of this research showing precisely why the shops are so busy.
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Cycling Ireland chief executive,
Matt McKerrow, welcomed the figures relating to the boom in cycling.
“I think everyone in the
cycling community has anecdotally noticed more people cycling in and
around their towns and suburbs recently, but it is great to see the research
with numbers quantifying the levels of increased participation,” he said.
“Cycling Ireland is committed to its role in providing
participation opportunities for the physical and mental health of all across
the island of Ireland and playing its part in the country’s road to recovery
from Covid19.”
Cycling Ireland added the gradual easing of Covid19
public health restrictions would allow new and returning cyclists to enjoy
greater freedom on their bikes. And they would benefit from both a physical and
mental health perspective.
It added many essential workers were also discovering the
countless benefits of commuting by bike, “leading to a transport revolution”.
Cycling Ireland also believed the addition of temporary
bike lanes and improved cycling infrastructure would result in a safer
environment and helped to ease traffic congestion in our cities and towns.
It said its Bike Like Me seven-week free training course and its Zwift League had proven very popular, with participation levels reflecting the new cycling boom.
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