Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2022
327. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason Cloghane and Brandon in County Kerry have not been included in the Kerry cycle route (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11219/22]
View answerThe cycle route referred to by the Deputy is a section of the EuroVelo 1 cycle route running through Co. Kerry. This route is part of EuroVelo - the European cycle route network – comprising 17 long distance cycle routes passing through 42 countries including Ireland. EuroVelo is intended to encourage European citizens to cycle and so to promote a shift to healthy and sustainable travel for daily trips, recreation and cycling tourism.
There are two such routes in the State. EuroVelo 1, the Atlantic Coast route, and EuroVelo 2, the Capitals route. EuroVelo 1 travels around the coast from Rosslare Harbour in Co. Wexford to Bridge End in Co. Donegal covering over 2300km. From Bridge End it continues across the border into Northern Ireland.
The route has been developed through a partnership approach involving Sport Ireland, acting as National EuroVelo Coordinator, working with each of the relevant local authorities to identify a suitable route meeting the criteria for EuroVelo as defined by the European Cyclists Federation (ECF). The ECF is the co-ordinating body for EuroVelo at a European level. The full route in Ireland was assessed using a methodology defined by the ECF.
The guidance for the development of EuroVelo is that routes should be relatively straightforward without too many detours, should not include spurs off the route and should be one continuous line. In this context it is not intended that the route would detour to visit every village along its 2300km length. EuroVelo routes are intended to form a backbone from which cyclists can explore locations on either side of the main route.
It is intended that promotional material for the route will be used to inform cyclists about any points of interest on or adjacent to the route. These can be identified using directional signage where appropriate. In many cases directional signage will already be in place.
The erection of directional signage to points of interest along the route is a matter for the local authorities.
For the EuroVelo 1 route in Ireland there will soon be a dedicated website where any points of interest along the route in each county can be highlighted. The complete route in Ireland is due to be fully signposted in the coming weeks and is expected to be launched along with the related website before the summer.
In terms of tourism marketing and promotion of the route, Sport Ireland has kept Fáilte Ireland fully informed in terms of the development and roll out of the signage and both agencies are engaging to consider ways to include the cycle route in relevant tourism marketing and promotional initiatives.
