Cycling's all pain, no chain for 80% of people

AROUND 80% of Irish people never or rarely ride a bike, a new survey has found with just 13% cycling weekly.

- BY PAT FLANAGAN

Despite the Government spending over €1billion on cycling infrastructure since 2020, the main reason given for not using pedal-powered transport was the country's dangerous roads.

The study found that over half of adults in Ireland (56%) would not take up cycling due to safety concerns.

The findings come as National Bike Week kicked off on Saturday and at a time when the number of cyclists is way down on the European average despite the massive Government spending on promoting cycling in the last five years.

Across Europe, 24% of EU citizens cycle at least once a week - rising to 61.3% in the Netherlands, 47% in Denmark, and 42% in Finland.

But just 13% of Irish respondents report cycling at least once per week, with only 5% cycling more than once per month while a striking 82% admit to rarely or never riding a bike.

The lack of safe bicycle lanes, especially in towns and cities across the country, also appears to be a major factor inhibiting the take-up of cycling.

The survey found that most people cycle for leisure or exercise (25%), with fewer than 10% doing so to commute or cycle with children or family.