Statement: Bacik calls for Change to Irish Rails Policy on Bicycles

BACIK CALLS FOR CHANGE TO IRISH RAIL POLICY ON BICYCLES

Statement from Senator Ivana Bacik

Labour Party Seanad Spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Law Reform
Tuesday 6 July 2010

Speaking on the Seanad order of business Senator Ivana Bacik called for a change in policy by Irish Rail regarding the carriage of bicycles on trains.

Noting the large numbers of people coming to Ireland from abroad for cycling holidays, and the increased popularity of cycling events like the Burren Cycle event on Sun 22nd August, Senator Bacik said:

“We need to do all we can to maximise jobs in the tourism industry and to encourage visitors to Ireland. Many people come to Ireland for cycling holidays. For instance, 2000 cyclists are expected to come to Co. Clare on 22nd August 2010 for the first Sky Ride Etape Hibernia, an event which will involve the closure of 80 kilometres of roads from Ennis all around the beautiful Clare coastline. Yet Irish Rail have adopted a policy of not allowing more than a handful of bicycles to be transported on each of their trains – a change from previous policy where bikes were carried in the guards' van.”

“This policy is very short-sighted and misguided of Irish Rail. It will seriously disadvantage the many visitors from abroad who wish to take part in cycling events like the Sky Ride, or who just want to have a cycling holiday. It will also discourage many Irish people from taking weekends away with their bicycles; and it will mean an unnecessary increased reliance on the car as a form of transport. As a cyclist myself, I call upon Irish Rail to accommodate bicycles on their trains as a matter of course without the restrictions they are currently imposing.”

ENDS