Cycling

Cycling is a healthy and sustainable way of travelling around the city and can often be quicker than driving a car over shorter distances in the congested inner city streets! As Cork is luckily a compact city, many local, daily journeys are easily made by bicycle.

However, encouraging cycling in Cork requires a range of measures including the introduction of physical improvements to the local road network for cyclists (in parallel to car restraint measures), the development of cycling facilities and the increase of driver and cyclist awareness.

Cork City Cycling Strategy

As Cork City Council recognises the importance of cycling in the development of an Integrated Transport System, it commissioned transportation consultants in order to develop a safe and comprehensive cycle network in Cork City and its environs. Consequently, the Cork City Cycling Strategy was formally adopted in 2004 to increase bike use while reducing accidents involving cyclists. Substantial investment is underway in the city's cycle network and facilities.

This report can be downloaded by selecting the link below.

Cycle Contra-Flow Scheme

The one-way system on roads is a major obstacle to cycling within the city centre. Cyclists may feel compelled to use narrow pavements to avoid following the one-way system for cars which can often make journeys considerably longer. Furthermore, cyclists using the pavement pose a threat to both pedestrians and themselves.

This issue can be faced by implementing contra-flow lanes, which contribute to the network’s directness and coherence by allowing cyclists to avoid diversions along indirect or less safe routes.

The introduction of cycle contra-flows is being assessed with a view to implementation by the end of 2008.

Cycle Audit

Cycle Audit is a systematic process, applied to planned changes to the transport network, which is designed to ensure that opportunities to encourage cycling are considered comprehensively and that cycling conditions are not inadvertently made worse.

In short, Cycle Audit is used to examine new road schemes for cycle-friendliness. It involves the auditing of schemes at various stages of design and implementation.  

Cycle Parking Policy

The introduction of good quality cycle parking is a key element in favor of a cycling-friendly environment. Cycle parking spaces are provided at all major destinations, including schools and other educational sites, hospitals, large employment sites, public transport interchanges, leisure attractions and many others.

Cork City Council continues to install new bicycle stands for any new developments and existing built-up areas.

The Cycling Policy Guidance Note is available hereunder: 

Recommended Cycling Routes

The recommended cycling routes make the best use of existing cycling lanes and roads as well as facilities (bicycle racks, etc.), while sharing roads with cars when the cycling network is interrupted.

The recommended cycling routes link the main areas / key institutions of Cork (third level education sits, hospitals, business parks, outlets, neighbourhoods, etc.) to the city centre and allow a pleasant, fast and safe commuting trip by bike.

The map of recommended cycling routes in Cork is actually in preparation with an expected issue on this website in 2008.

 

Cycling Events in 2008

Cork City Council is promoting cycling awareness and bicycle use and by developing a vast range of activities and shows with local partners:

• Bike Swap Shop (29 March 2008): the not-to-be-missed opportunity to swap your second-hand bicycle;
• Adult Bike Training Day (24 May 2008): a one-off bike training course will be offered to adults in order to help them get back on their bikes with confidence;
•  “Bike to Work” Week (26-30 May 2008): one week to promote commuting on two-wheels and improve cycling at the work place – see also our related page;
• Cork Bicycle Ballet (20-21 June 2008): a surprising ballet with dancers on bicycle, performed as part of Cork Midsummer Festival (please check out http://www.corkmidsummer.com/2008/events/bicycle);
• Cork Cycling Arts Festival (21-27 July 2008): Cork’s first ever arts festival to celebrate the bicycle culture in Cork: cycles, art exhibition, public meeting, movie nights and much more (please check out http://www.cork-cycling-arts-festival.org for the complete programme);
• Cycling Advocacy Meeting (21 July 2008): this public meeting is organised by University College Cork and Cork Cycling Campaign as part of Cork Cycling Arts Festival and will offer a two-hour session of talks by local and international speakers followed by a public debate;
• European Mobility Week (16-22 September 2008): European Mobility Week is an international event to highlight how you travel and what impact that has on your health, your finances and the Environment. People are invited to use sustainable transport options, including cycling, for their daily trips – see also our related page;
• Rebel Pedal! (20 September 2008): Cork Environmental Forum’s enticing and joyful bike parade in the city of Cork, as part of European Mobility Week (please visit http://www.cef.ie/2008_Project_pages/RebelPedal08.php/);
• Bike Fashion Show (1 November 2008): a celebratory show and exhibition of the latest trends in innovative bikes, raingear, winter clothes and lights, as part of Design Week Cork (more details will be issued later on http://www.designweekcork.com );
• Warm Drinks for Cyclists (Winter 2008): warm drinks offered to the brave commuters riding their bicycles in winter.

An Internet portal on cycling in Cork will also be put on line in 2008 to provide useful information and news on the latest events to the whole community of Cork cyclists.

The complete calendar 2008 of cycling events in Cork City can be downloaded by selecting the link below:

Cycling Events in Cork City - Calendar 2008

Cycling Organisations in Cork

Various organisations in Cork are working in favor of cycling.

Cork Cycling Campaign is working to encourage cycling and to represent the interests of Corkonian cyclists day after day:

http://corkcyclingcampaign.com/index.htm

Cork Community Bikes is developing a do-it-yourself bike workshop for the community to use; their work aims to salvage unwanted bicycles from the waste stream, repair them and resell them as well as to promote the use of bicycles:

http://www.corkcommunitybikes.com/

The local branch of “An Óige” organises free-of-charge group cycles on a regular basis in Cork and its surroundings:

http://www.anoige.ie/

The An Óige Cork - Kerry Regional Group Programme 2008 - 2009 can be downloaded by selecting the link below:

An Óige Cork - Kerry Regional Group Programme 2008 - 2009

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Contact

Please contact us for more information:

Transportation Planning and Management Division,
Cork City Council
City Hall ,

Anglesea Street,

Cork.
Tel: 021 492 4657
Fax: 021 492 4782
E-mail: traffic@corkcity.ie

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