The Embassy of the Netherlands, Dutch Cycling Embassy, Dublin Town, and Development Studies Association of Ireland at Trinity College Dublin join Galway Cycling Campaign to discuss Bike Parking and the Bottom Line.
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on local businesses and retail in Galway city and county. With bicycle use rapidly growing since lockdown, and more of us living our lives more locally, business owners and retailers know that a significant portion of customers now pedal – or want to pedal – their way to shop and dine. International research shows that safe, secure and sheltered bicycle parking is investing in local and loyal customers.
- His Excellency, Adriaan Palm, Ambassador at The Netherlands Embassy to Ireland
- Chris Bruntlett, Marketing & Communication Manager at the Dutch Cycling Embassy
- Richard Guiney, CEO of Dublin Town
- Clodagh Colleran, Development Studies Association of Ireland, Trinity College Dublin
This event will be a soft launch of the Galway Supermarket Bike Parking Survey by Galway Cycling Campaign. The formal launch will be by Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton TD on Friday 25 September.
>>Register for webinar ‘Bike Parking and the Bottom Line'<<
Learning from the Dutch experience
Speaking in advance of the event on Galway Bay FM, Ambassador Palm said that he knows from experience of his hometown how more people cycling and quality infrastructure improves the attractiveness and accessibility of our cities, villages and towns and encourages people to spend more time there.
“The recent surge in cycling in Ireland should be capitalised on as an excellent opportunity for businesses and the cycling community to work together for their mutual benefit. The Netherlands is a flat country with 17 million people and 22 million bicycles. It was not always this way. Galway is a relatively flat city with a lot of potential to move around by bicycle and to shop by bike.”
Inclusive bike parking
When on her bike, nobody would know Clodagh Colleran has a progressive and degenerative disability. Born with hip dysplasia that went undiagnosed for too long, walking can be difficult. However, a bike saddle suits her biomechanics, as she can maintain a straight spine.
“Cycling opened up the city for me,” said Ms Colleran, who commutes by bike to work in Trinity and is on the Healthy Trinity: Smarter Travel Committee. “It disguises my limp, prolonged the life of my hip and helps me maintain a healthy weight, all things that are hugely important for my health and well-being.”
Learning from Dublin retail experience
A recent DublinTown survey of member businesses on the Grafton Street Area pedestrianisation trial was overwhelmingly in favour of opening up streets to people.
The findings of the surveys show that the majority of DublinTown member businesses – over 85% – in the greater Grafton Street area want the trial pedestrianisation to continue on a more permanent basis.
Richard will be familiar to Galway audiences from a previous role as Director of Corporate Services with Chambers Ireland. He will share the experience of Dublin retailers and city centre businesses in embracing cycling and pedestrianisation.
Speaking in advance of the event, Richard said,
“Pre-Covid we saw changes in how people were engaging with urban centres,” commented Richard. “These trends are accelerating at a dramatic pace. Our towns must be sustainable both economically and environmentally. Enhanced cycling provision is core to achieving this. This is no longer a nice to have – it is central to the future proofing of our towns and cities.”
Webinar details
This webinar is aimed at representatives from the business community, political representatives, local and national policymakers, placemakers, academics, people interested in liveable neighbourhoods, community groups, and representatives of the cycling community.
The conversation will identify local challenges and opportunities for “quick wins” as well as demonstrating some practical examples from the Netherlands.
Attendees can join in the conversation using the Chat and ask questions through the Q&A functions throughout the presentations.
There will be an opportunity for audience Q&A at the end of the session.
The Zoom webinar will be recorded and shared on the Galway Cycling Campaign’s website and YouTube channel.
Please join us from 12.50 for a prompt 1pm start.
Bike Week 2020
This event is organised by the Galway Cycling Campaign and funded through a Bike Week 2020 grant awarded by Galway City Council.
Bike Week is a Government of Ireland initiative, under the broader Active Travel initiative.
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