Minister of Transport, Eamon Ryan T.D. has welcomed the publication of the new National Cycle Network (NCN) plan which sets out how the country will criss-crossed with 3,500 km of safe, high quality and inviting cycle routes, linking over 200 cities, towns and villages and up to 2.8 million people nationally.
The NCN is composed of 85 corridors, integrating existing and planned greenways and other cycling infrastructure such as the Eurovelo routes, as well as an extensive new network of safe cycle routes along existing roads. It will also link to destinations such as transport hubs, centres of education, employment, leisure and tourist destinations, making it easier and safer for people throughout the country to choose cycling as part of their daily activities. The aim is that 80% of households and nearly 90% of jobs will be located within 5 km of the network.
The Minister launched the new NCN plan at the opening of the latest extension to the Grand Canal Greenway – an 11 km stretch from Alymers Bridge to Sallins, Co. Kildare. When completed, this Greenway will be a continuous, almost entirely segregated route along the entirety of the 130km canal stretching from Dublin to the River Shannon.
Minister Ryan said : “It is great to launch this plan today here along the Grand Canal Greenway, because it shows that we are already well on the way to developing this new visionary national cycling network, with plans also underway to fast-track delivery of a further 1,000 km of cycle routes by 2030.”
“This national cycling network will act as a core spine, connecting towns, cities and destinations across the country with safe, segregated cycling infrastructure wherever feasible. I think this will really help to encourage cycling confidence and in turn the number of trips taken by both walking and cycling amongst locals, leisure users, and tourists alike.”
