Press Release: Launch of Oireachtas Cyclists Group

STATEMENT BY SENATORIVANA BACIK

Labour Party Seanad leader

Thursday 12th July 2012

LAUNCH OF OIREACHTAS CYCLISTS GROUP AT 11am TODAY THURSDAY 12th JULY 2012, KILDARE STREET

Today, Thursday 12thJuly at 11am outside the front gate of Leinster House on Kildare Street,Senator Ivana Bacik has invited other Oireachtas members from all partiesto participate in a photo call to launch an All-Party Oireachtas CyclistsGroup, with the aim of promoting cycling and encouraging Senators and TDsto cycle to work.

Oireachtas members will be offered 'taster' ‘Bikeability' training byqualified ‘Cyclist.ie' trainers outside Leinster House on Kildare Streettoday at 11 am.

'Cyclist.ie' (the network for all the cycling campaigns and groups on theIsland) is offering a 'taster' session in developing cycling skills withmembers of the Oireachtas who use their bikes to get around Dublin, orwant to return to cycling. The training session will be undertaken by DublinCycling Campaign instructors.

Speaking about the photo call and training event, Senator Bacik said:

“The Government's Smarter Travel policy aims to have 10% of all commutingtrips carried out by bike nationally in Ireland by 2020 - we arestill considerably off the target, and the reason why many people do notcycle is because they are concerned about the experience of cycling incongested traffic and do not have the cycling skills to cycle safely inurban areas.

That is why I am delighted that this morning, Oireachtas members who wishto take up cycling, or who are already regular cyclists, will be offeredthe opportunity of participating in ‘Bikeability' training, offered bymembers of the Dublin Cycling Campaign who are qualified as instructors.I hope that through initiatives like this, an Oireachtas Cyclists Groupcan encourage and promote the use of cycling more widely.”

ENDS.