Statement: Senator Bacik initiates All-Party Oireachtas Cycling Group during National Bike Week

STATEMENT BY SENATORIVANA BACIK

Labour Party Seanad leader

Friday 22nd June2012

SENATOR BACIK INITIATES ALL-PARTY OIREACHTAS CYCLING GROUP DURING NATIONAL BIKE WEEK

Speaking today Friday 22 June a ta Dublin Cycling Campaign Conference in Trinity College Dublin to mark National Bike Week, Senator Ivana Bacik will announce her initiative in setting up an All-Party Oireachtas Cycling Group to encourage other Senators and TDs to cycle to work.

The title of the conference is ‘Growing Cycling Participation and Closingthe Gender Gap'. Speaking during the opening session, Senator Bacik will say:

“We know that in Dublin, onlyabout one in four cyclists are women. We also know from research elsewhere that social influence factors need to be taken into account when lookingat gender and cycling, and that women cyclists are important in influencing and encouraging other women to cycle.

“During National Bike Week, Iwant to emphasise the importance of social influence in encouraging cycling generally – and I think it is particularly important that members of the Oireachtas should be seen to encourage greater bicycle use generally by‘getting on their bikes' themselves and setting a good example. With this in mind, I have asked like-minded cycling TDs and Senators to joinme in an All-Party cycling group in Leinster House.”

ENDS