Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 May 2023
218. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport to set out the estimated number of people who cycle to work nationally; how Ireland ranks relative to other EU Members States on this number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24612/23]
View answer219. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport what research his Department, or its agencies, have undertaken to examine barriers to cycling to work; the key findings of any such research; the work his Department is undertaking to address these barriers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24613/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 219 together.
In terms of data and research in relation to cycling and barriers to same, my Department has relied on studies such as the Census and the National Transport Authority's (NTA's) National Household Travel Survey. It is recognised, however, that these studies are carried out as part of a 5-year cycle and therefore we do not have up-to-date data as the cycle nears its end.
In order to gain an understanding of the impact of our Active Travel investment and address this data gap, the NTA is now working with Sustrans to carry out the Walking and Cycling Index in Ireland's main cities. First undertaken in Dublin in 2021, it has been rolled out this year to Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford metropolitan areas. This study will provide high quality evidence on people's participation in, and attitudes to walking, wheeling or cycling as well as the barriers to same, and reports are due to be published in early 2024.
While these studies will not provide national data, they will give a good indication of the impact of our Active Travel programmes in our major urban centres. New data from both the Census and the National Household Transport Survey are also expected this year which will provide the national picture.
Additionally, my Department has established the Sustainable Mobility Research Network on foot of an action in the National Sustainable Mobility Policy. It aims to advise on, agree and focus resources towards research priorities that provide an evidence base for implementation of the Policy, and includes representatives from the Department, relevant agencies including the NTA, and the Regional Assemblies. This group will map research currently being undertaken, identify gaps, and ensure that research conducted aligns with Government policy. This work will help to provide a more comprehensive data and evidence-base for policy and funding decisions going forward.
In terms of addressing barriers, my Department is continuously exploring ways to encourage the uptake of cycling as a mode of transport. It fully supports the provision of safe and direct cycling infrastructure, in line with the NTA's Active Travel Programme, and funds a number of behavioural change, training and participatory programmes to encourage greater levels of cycling across the population. Whilst significant investment has been undertaken in recent years, I firmly believe that further continued investment is required to ensure cycling is seen as a safe and attractive option for travel.
