Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland news
Belfast pupils brighten up the journey to school
To encourage students to cycle to school and to raise awareness of safe cycling as the days become darker, Bike It schools across the greater Belfast area are holding Brighter Bike Days.
On the morning of a Brighter Bike Day, students cycle to school looking as bright and shiny as possible.
Children are invited to get creative with their outfits and even to decorate their bikes to be super bright. Cyclists on a Brighter Bike Day are standing out with all varieties of brightness - neon green wigs, fluorescent orange legwarmers, pink tutus, aluminium foil helmets, and even bikes with Christmas tinsel and lights!
Pictured: Mr Stephen Harrison, Principal, Beth Harding, Sustrans Bike It officer, and pupils from Gilnahirk Primary
Derry/Londonderry Peace Bridge launched
On Saturday June 25th, the Derry/Londonderry Peace Bridge was officially launched to much fanfare and jubilation. Thousands of people joined in a weekend of festivities to celebrate the city's first (but hopefully not the last!) foot and cycle bridge.
The iconic new bridge, spanning 310 metres bank to bank across the River Foyle, with landing points at the rear of the Guildhall and Ebrington embankment, gives pedestrians and cyclists access from the cityside into Ebrington regeneration site and St Columb's Park, while providing greater access form the Waterside into the city centre retail and commercial core.
Use of the bridge has remained steady since the launch and attention has now shifted to developing links to/from the bridge. Construction is due to commence in the autumn on phase I of the Connect2 Waterside Greenway which will link the bridge to St Columb's Park and beyond as far as the Foyle Bridge via a new traffic-free riverside foot and cycle path. Sustrans is also progressing the development of a riverside greenway in the other direction from the bridge to the rail station which will improve access for train passengers and complete the greenway network on both banks of the Foyle.
(photo courtesy of Ilex)
Belfast wins big in Bike It National poster competition
Two local pupils from Belfast won two of the top three prizes in a national poster competition, which was open to over 1,000 Sustrans Bike It schools across the UK. Locally, the Bike It project works with 11 schools across the Greater Belfast area to encourage children to choose two wheels for the school run. The poster competition invited pupils to design a poster with a New Year's resolution theme about bikes and cycling.
Maeve Hyland from St Oliver Plunkett Primary and Erin McLaughlin from Gilnahirk Primary secured first and third places respectively in the Northern Ireland and Wales region of the competition (pictured left with Beth Harding, Sustrans' Bike It Officer).
Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy and Eamonn McCartan, Chief Executive of Sport NI joined both students, their parents and teachers at Stormont Assembly last week to celebrate their success.
MLA calls for cycle helmet compulsion
The Northern Ireland Assembly considered a Private Members Bill from Pat Ramsay MLA - the "Cyclists (Protective Headgear) Bill" - to make cycle helmet wearing compulsory for all cyclists in all public places. Sustrans is opposed to the Bill.
The DOE committee carried out a brief public consultation exercise, and due to the Assembly mandate ending 24th March 2011, the Bill will go no further at this stage but could be raised again in the next Assembly mandate.
If you oppose the proposed Bill, we would encourage you to sign the petition against it.
You can download a copy of the Sustrans/CTC submission to the DOE Committee, and a copy of our petition analysis.
Belfast takes to the saddle with First Minister to celebrate fifteen years of the National Cycle Network
Belfast took to the saddle to celebrate 15 years of the National Cycle Network with First Minister Peter Robinson MLA joining in the fun. Cyclists from Newtownabbey, Bangor, Comber and Lisburn set off on four mass cycle rides, converging on Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, where participants were welcomed by Naomi Long MP and given rare access to the Drawing Offices of Harland and Wolff.
Steven Patterson, Sustrans Northern Ireland Director said, “This was the perfect way to celebrate the National Cycle Network which proves that where safe and attractive routes exist, levels of cycling and walking will rise significantly. Titanic quarter offers a chance to be a best case example of sustainable transport and we look forward to the seeing high quality cycle links to the new Titanic Signature Project by 2012. Cycling is good for the economy as it cuts congestion and promotes healthy lifestyles and good for the environment as its pollution free. We call on the Executive at Stormont to prioritise future investment in walking and cycling so delivering an improved quality of life for all sections of society.”
The 'Cycle to the City' ride was part of a series of 'Fresh Air Miles' rides supported by Globe bikes, and led by Sustrans volunteers, that are being run throughout the year across the UK to raise funds to further develop the National Cycle Network. DRD Travelwise sponsored the event as part of Travelwise Week.
(Photo by Simon Graham/Harrison Photography)