Cycling Ireland has moved to lower the cost of its 'leisure event licence fee' - the one-day licence required for riding a sportive - a year after introducing unpopular increases to the fees.
The cost of the one-day licence was increased from €10 to €20, or £9 to £18, last year. The change in price came into effect on February 1st last.
Cycling Ireland said at the time the price increase - which also hoped to encourage cyclists take out full membership - was "a necessary step brought about by increased costs and inflationary pressure which has been experienced by organisations nationwide”.
Now, under the new reduction, any cyclist under the age of 18 years will be able to take out a one-day licence to ride a leisure event for just €5. That's not only a reduction of €15, it's also half the cost of the fee before it was increased.
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Cycling Ireland said the reduction has been made "to allow for cycling to be more accessible for under 18s and to promote family-friendly participation in the sport".
Cycling Ireland's new chief executive, James Quilligan, said the change would apply immediately.
"Cycling Ireland is pleased to be in the position to reduce the leisure event license fee for Under 18s to €5 ahead of another exciting season in 2024," he said.
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"The change will make the sport of cycling more accessible for junior and youth riders to get involved in the many Cycling Ireland leisure events around Ireland.
"Cycling is a family friendly sport, and the change reflects our continued commitment to youth and junior participation at all levels.”
When Cycling Ireland increased fees one year ago, the move was very unpopular, especially coming at a time of inflationary pressure across the wider economy.
Cycling Ireland's own leisure commission was one of the most strident critics of the move, saying the price hike would have a “severe negative impact” on all involved in Irish cycling.
It added Cycling Ireland did not consult with it on the price increase and called for the decision to be reversed.
The leisure commission said at the time it was “disappointed to learn Cycling Ireland is increasing the cost” of one-day licences to riders who wanted to participate in events.
“This 100 per cent increase will have a severe negative impact on our members organising events, on charities that benefit, and will serve to (sic) discourage participation and engagement in our sport,” the commission, which is part of Cycling Ireland, said at the time.
“Cycling Ireland did not consult with us before making this change and we ask that it is reversed and a formal consultation put in place with members.”
