The number of cyclists in Dublin has doubled in just eight years, a survey has found.
Nearly one in every 10 (8.8 per cent) of journeys taken in the capital now is on a bike, the latest figures show.
Andrew Montague, a councillor who chairs the transport and traffic committee on Dublin City Council (DCC), said the findings show initiatives to get more people cycling are working.
“I’m pleased to see more people getting around the city the easiest and quickest way — on their bikes,” he said.
“Dublin City Council’s efforts to promote cycling are paying off and we have to encourage even more people to get on their bikes in 2013.”
The figures were revealed in the DCC’s Canal Cordon Count, which tallies the number of vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians entering the city between the Grand Canal on the southside and the Royal Canal on the northside.
The survey was carried out at 32 locations between 7am and 10am in November.
It found:
- There was an almost 16 per cent rise in the number of cyclists last year alone, with the total having doubled between 2004 and 2012.
- More people are choosing to walk into the city, with pedestrian figures up more than 17 per cent last year.
- The number of goods vehicles travelling into the centre was down 6.5 per cent last year, but decreased 61 per cent between 2002 and 2012.
- While private car journeys dropped by just 0.2 per cent last year, they were down nearly 8 per cent over the 10-year period.
-People driving their own car into the city still account for more than two thirds (67.5 per cent) of all commuter trips.
The study also showed bus journeys increased by 2.5 per cent over the 10-year period between 2002 and 2012.
However Dublin Bus services were down more than 10 per cent, with the overall rise made up by a near-18 per cent jump in private buses operating in the city.
Dublin City Council said the results demonstrated the success of many transport schemes introduced in recent years.
“These include Dublin Port Tunnel, the HGV management strategy, more Quality Bus Corridors, the dublinbikes scheme, the Grand Canal Cycle route and the 30kph zone in the city centre,” a spokesman added.
PA