Cycling Ireland’s Community Bike Rides initiative will be supported by the Department of Transport in 2023.
This is a great example of a positive social sports initiative securing backing from the Government to bring it back to life in 2023.
With over 5,000 members, Community Bike Rides provides an important resource for new and returning cyclists in Ireland as a community that offers free social leisure rides for adults of all ages.
Community Bike Rides are run by a network of over 120 Ride Leaders across 29 counties on the island of Ireland, with over 100 candidates currently committed to completing Ride Leader training.
Over 11,500 rides were completed across solo and group rides in 2022 – over 36,000 community bike rides have now been completed since the initiative’s creation.
It first came to life in 2019 with the commercial backing of Axa and came back in 2021 and 2022 but will now ramp up again to full capacity with the support of the Department of Transport under its ‘Active Travel’ policy, joining a range of programmes aimed at promoting the use of non-motorised modes of transport.
“The Department of Transport is delighted to be able to support Cycling Ireland’s Community Bike Rides initiative for 2023,” said Minister Eamon Ryan.
“It is important to encourage active travel modes such as cycling across as wide a demographic as possible, and Community Bike Rides allows people of all ages and abilities to get involved and gain confidence as cyclists, building skills that can form part of their day to day life. Encouraging modal shift away from cars and towards active travel is a key Governmental priority and initiatives such as Community Bike Rides form a key component in achieving this goal.”
“We are delighted to be partnering with the Department of Transport to continue the delivery of the Community Bike Rides initiative,” added Scott Graham, Acting Operations Manager at Cycling Ireland.
“Community Bike Rides provides free social leisure rides for people of all ages and abilities right around the country.”
“The Department of Transport’s increased investment in Active Travel, as committed in the National Development Plan and the National Sustainable Mobility Plan will transform active travel over the coming years, providing safe and connected cycling infrastructure nationwide. Community Bike Rides is a fantastic gateway for people who want to start or return to cycling and provides an opportunity to use many of the greenways and cycling infrastructure being developed by the Department of Transport.”
“I would like to say a massive thank you to the Department of Transport for their support of the Community Bike Rides initiative for 2023,” said Community Bike Rides Officer Jason Goodison.
“I am delighted to hear that the Department shares our belief in the impact and potential of Community Bike Rides and their support will only work to strengthen the alignment between Cycling Ireland and Department of Transport strategies regarding commuting, the use of greenways and more.”
“2023 is set to be an exciting year for Community Bike Rides as we continue to look to develop our leadership and membership across Ireland, with a specific focus on ensuring that a Group Ride offering is accessible in every county on a weekly basis. The Department’s support will allow us to be creative in the pursuit of these targets over the coming months.”
