Many countries around the world are encouraging the use of bicycles as an eco-friendly alternative for daily transportation. Ireland is becoming eco-friendly as more people use bicycles in this cycle-friendly country.
Cycling is popular in Ireland, but has, as in most of the world, either been used as a means of exercise or for relaxation, not as a means of transportation. The recently introduced 'Bike to Work' scheme offers employees tax exemption benefits for the purchase of a new bike or associated safety equipment, to the value of 1000 Euros. Intended to convince more people living in Ireland to use bicycles as their primary mode of transport to and from work, the tax incentive, added to fuel savings, time saved sitting in traffic and the health benefits are expected to be the primary motivators.
An increase of 8% from 2007 to 2009 has seen the number of people who cycled every day in Ireland grow to 35 000. While this only equates to 3% of the total number of trips made, the Bike to Work scheme is expected to increase these figures within the next few years. With 209km of cycling lanes in Dublin, it is no surprise that cycling is growing at the rate of 4% there. Obstacles that cyclists feel need to be addressed before cycling will really take off include the fact that many cycling lanes are shared with buses and the inadequate parking facilities at public places such as shops and restaurants. Government is addressing these problems, and is expecting cycling as a means of transport to and from work to become more popular with each passing year.
Ireland is becoming more eco-friendly as the use of bicycles increases, comparing well to other European countries, although Asia is at the forefront of the move to cycling, mainly due to their population density. Ireland offers many eco-friendly holiday options, including cycling tours and holidays. If you don't fancy cycling for days on end, consider hiring a bicycle for a few days. Use it to pop down to the local shops, or to take a slow ride out to nearby sights. The view from a bicycle is unfettered, providing a closer view of the surrounding country than you will get from a car. One advantage of a cycling holiday that, rather than returning home having picked up a few pounds due to overindulgence, you will get back home in better than shape than when you left.
Cycling tours allow you to experience the countryside in a way that is just not possible confined in a car. If you are on a mountain bike, you can reach spots that cars cannot, often providing you with a better view or a different perspective of the sights.
Various local initiatives are contributing the growth of cycling as a means of transport in Ireland. One 'bike scrapping' scheme in Mayo County allows you to trade your old bicycle for a discount on a new one. Not only does this help people to better equip themselves for cycling, it helps to improve bike safety and therefore the safety of the cyclists on them. It also ensures that the old bikes are recycled or disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner. Whether you live in Ireland or are just visiting, help Ireland become eco-friendly, and use a bicycle to get around.
Cycling is popular in Ireland, but has, as in most of the world, either been used as a means of exercise or for relaxation, not as a means of transportation. The recently introduced 'Bike to Work' scheme offers employees tax exemption benefits for the purchase of a new bike or associated safety equipment, to the value of 1000 Euros. Intended to convince more people living in Ireland to use bicycles as their primary mode of transport to and from work, the tax incentive, added to fuel savings, time saved sitting in traffic and the health benefits are expected to be the primary motivators.
An increase of 8% from 2007 to 2009 has seen the number of people who cycled every day in Ireland grow to 35 000. While this only equates to 3% of the total number of trips made, the Bike to Work scheme is expected to increase these figures within the next few years. With 209km of cycling lanes in Dublin, it is no surprise that cycling is growing at the rate of 4% there. Obstacles that cyclists feel need to be addressed before cycling will really take off include the fact that many cycling lanes are shared with buses and the inadequate parking facilities at public places such as shops and restaurants. Government is addressing these problems, and is expecting cycling as a means of transport to and from work to become more popular with each passing year.
Ireland is becoming more eco-friendly as the use of bicycles increases, comparing well to other European countries, although Asia is at the forefront of the move to cycling, mainly due to their population density. Ireland offers many eco-friendly holiday options, including cycling tours and holidays. If you don't fancy cycling for days on end, consider hiring a bicycle for a few days. Use it to pop down to the local shops, or to take a slow ride out to nearby sights. The view from a bicycle is unfettered, providing a closer view of the surrounding country than you will get from a car. One advantage of a cycling holiday that, rather than returning home having picked up a few pounds due to overindulgence, you will get back home in better than shape than when you left.
Cycling tours allow you to experience the countryside in a way that is just not possible confined in a car. If you are on a mountain bike, you can reach spots that cars cannot, often providing you with a better view or a different perspective of the sights.
Various local initiatives are contributing the growth of cycling as a means of transport in Ireland. One 'bike scrapping' scheme in Mayo County allows you to trade your old bicycle for a discount on a new one. Not only does this help people to better equip themselves for cycling, it helps to improve bike safety and therefore the safety of the cyclists on them. It also ensures that the old bikes are recycled or disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner. Whether you live in Ireland or are just visiting, help Ireland become eco-friendly, and use a bicycle to get around.
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