Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 May 2023
217. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport to outline the measures his Department has introduced or plans to introduce during the lifetime of the current Government to increase the number of people travelling to work by bicycle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24611/23]
View answerMy Department is continuously exploring ways to encourage the uptake of cycling as a mode of transport. Our National Sustainable Mobility Policy examines the different behavioural change measures that can be explored to promote modal shift away from private car use and towards zero-emission transport modes such as walking, cycling and e-biking including for commuting to and from work.
My Department has invested a significantly increased level of funding in cycling infrastructure since the start of this Government's term in 2020. I firmly believe that further continued investment is required to ensure cycling is seen as a safe and attractive option for travelling to and from work.
In this regard, €290 million has been allocated by the Department of Transport to the National Transport Authority (NTA) in 2023 for Active Travel measures around the country. The NTA disperses this funding to all local authorities, works with them to identify walking and cycling projects and oversees their delivery. This investment will provide safe, alternative, active, travel routes to help alleviate congestion by providing viable alternatives and connectivity with existing public transport infrastructure, making cycling to work an option for a greater number of people.
The Programme for Government commits to “widening the eligibility of the Bike to Work scheme”. The Deputy will be aware that in Budget 2021, my colleague, the then Minister for Finance, increased the thresholds for the Cycle to Work scheme to enable the purchase of e-bikes and more recently the thresholds were increased again in the most recent Budget to accommodate the purchase of cargo bikes and cargo e-bikes.
Investment in infrastructure and equipment must be matched with investment in behavioural change programmes to encourage people to adopt healthier and more sustainable habits as part of their day to day routine. To this end, my Department continues to fund the NTA's Smarter Travel Workplaces and Campuses programme which works with large employers and third level institutions to encourage more sustainable commuting and travel choices among their students and staff. The Smarter Travel team provides a package of measures to promote cycling, walking, public transport, car sharing, the use of technology instead of travel, and flexible working packages.
Funding for the Smarter Travel programme in 2023 contains an allocation for the Smarter Travel Mark Pathfinder Project. This project will provide organisations with recognition as a workplace or campus that is committed to active and sustainable travel for their workforce, students and visitors. To achieve the Smarter Travel Mark, organisations will have to demonstrate robust communications, policies, facilities, incentives and supports in favour of sustainable commuting and business travel. The Mark was officially launched on 9th May 2023.
As part of an overall coordinated approach to the provision of an integrated sustainable transport network of cycling, walking and public transport, these various investments will allow us to further increase the numbers cycling, thereby easing congestion, improving public health and enhancing the liveability of our towns and cities; the investment will, I believe, have a lasting transformative effect on our transport network over the coming years.
My Department will also continue to undertake research into other additional measures which could be introduced to promote modal shift and encourage uptake of cycling across all demographics, including commuters, as part of the annual Budgetary process.
