Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
186. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport the number of children that have availed of cycling training through the ramped up Cycle Right Programme as committed to in the Programme for Government by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2248/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public and sustainable transport generally. Cycling Ireland operate the Cycle Right Programme with funding from my Department. I have forwarded the Deputy's request to Cycling Ireland and hope to have a reply with the Deputy within the next 10 days.
I view Cycle Right as hugely important, we are investing heavily in infrastructure all around the country and Safe Routes to School is an important element of the work being carried out to provide safe, segregated cycling infrastructure. That infrastructure will encourage young people, and their parents, to cycle to school but providing training is also very important to give confidence and skills to those learning to cycle.
The pandemic has impacted our ability to expand the number of sessions and schools that have partaken in Cycle Right in 2020 and 2021 but we have seen strong figures notwithstanding that. I understand that Cycling Ireland will be submitting additional plans for the rollout of Cycle Right to my Department shortly.
