Bike Week gets creative and goes online with Dutch Ambassador & friends

by | Thursday, September 17, 2020 | Press Releases

Galway Cycling Campaign was awarded funds this week from Galway city and county councils for an ambitious, diverse and inclusive range of events for Bike Week 2020 which begins this Saturday 19 September and runs until Sunday 27 September. 

Webinars, live streaming events, social media events, social media engagement, online video, and podcasting are some of the ways Galway Cycling Campaign will engage people in everyday cycling.

** Indicate your interest in online events here – Registration links will follow **

“We’re disappointed that with covid restrictions, it’s not possible to offer people as many changes to engage with us face to face,” said Martina Callanan, deputy chairperson.

“Since March we’ve hosted many online events and we’re pleased to offer a terrific programme with high profile guest speakers on a range of everyday cycling topics, as well as creative ways for people to share their everyday cycle journeys.”

Are bikes good for business?

His Excellency Mr Adriaan Palm, Ambassador at The Netherlands Embassy to Ireland

Dutch Ambassador to Ireland, HE Adriaan Palm will be the special guest at a lunchtime webinar on Thursday 24 September on  “Bike Parking Means Business: investing in bicycle parking is investing in local and loyal customers”. 

Ambassador Palm will be joined by a Dutch expert and CEO of Dublin Town, Richard Guiney. 

This event will be of particular interest to local businesses and retailers in the city centre, suburbs, and county.

** Indicate your interest in online events here – Registration links will follow **

Road safety: European and international policy perspective

Matthew Baldwin, European Coordinator for Road Safety

On Friday lunchtime, Matthew Baldwin, the first European Coordinator for Road Safety and DG MOVE Deputy Director General, will be the key speaker at a webinar on road safety.

He will outline why cities across Europe are embracing 30kmph speed limits in retail, recreational and residential areas.

The Deputy DG will also discuss the challenges and opportunity for active travel during coronavirus.

** Indicate your interest in online events here – Registration links will follow **

MOTHERLOAD, the movie: a covideo party and Q&A

MOTHERLOAD, the movie – trailer (2019) Winner of Sundance Special Jury Prize

The finale for Bike Week will be a special covideo party of MOTHERLOAD on Sunday 27 September at 7.30pm. This 86 minute documentary from the USA captures a new mother’s quest to understand the increasing isolation and disconnection of modern life, its planetary impact, and how cargo bikes could be an antidote. It won a Sundance Special Jury Prize in 2019.

Filmmaker Liz Canning cycled everywhere until her twins were born in 2008. Motherhood was challenging and hauling babies via car felt stifling. She googled ‘family bike’ and discovered people using cargo bikes: long-frame bicycles designed for carrying heavy loads. Liz set out to learn more, and documented her journey. 

MOTHERLOAD will be streamed online and people are invited to join in the covideo party and Twitter conversation using the hashtag #MOTHERLOADGalway. Free tickets are available.

Director Liz Canning will join a panel of health and urban liveability experts for a post-screening discussion and Q&A on Zoom. 

** Indicate your interest in online events here – Registration links will follow **

Online virtual events

The Fancy Women Bike Ride is an annual global event celebrating women on wheels. We will have a virtual parade in2020.

There will be two virtual events on social media with prizes for creative participation. Galway will join the annual international “Fancy Women Bike Ride’ of women reclaiming streets by celebrating cycling on Tuesday 22 September. Teenage girls, mums and older women are especially invited to post videos and photos on social media of cycling with family and friends and tag @GalwayCycling plus #FancyWomenGalway

On Saturday 26 September, Galway Cycling Campaign will host a virtual Pedal Parade. This is a call to people of all ages and abilities who cycle a wide range of bicycles to be visible on our streets, city, towns and in society. Post videos on social media of videos and photos and tag @GalwayCycling plus #PedalParadeGalway.

There will be prizes for creative participation of bike racks, baskets, panniers and high quality bike lights and bells.

** Indicate your interest in online events here – Registration links will follow **

Bikes boost businesses and back re-opening Galway

by | Friday, May 22, 2020 | Change Our Streets, News, Press Releases

Galway Cycling Campaign is backing local businesses as Galway city knuckles down to kick-start the economy again.

Ravens Terrace, Galway’s Westend

The movement to ‘Change Our Streets’ is moving up a gear to make Galway city more family friendly, as Covid-19 movement restrictions begin to ease. Chairperson Kevin Jennings welcomed the publication of the City Council’s mobility plan, and sent a letter to the City Mobility Team on Monday to wish them every success.

He said he is delighted that the two principles of our ‘Change Our Streets’ initiative for More Space and Less Speed are at the heart of our city’s plans to get Galway moving and thriving again.

People on bikes spend 40% more in shops

Transport for London research, 2018

He pointed out that Galway Chamber and Westend Traders are two of the business supporters that recognise the value of people cycling.

“Customers using their bike to go shopping is good for business. People on bikes spend 40% more in shops than people driving, according to 2018 research from Transport for London (TfL).”

Open up streets for people on bikes and people walking through ‘Share With Care’ (‘Roinn le Cúram’ ) zones

Martina Callanan, spokesperson for Galway Cycling Campaign, said, “Research shows that people on bikes tend to shop local and are loyal to local traders. The social media hashtag #ShopByBike shows people doing their weekly shop and cycling home again. We have seen baskets and panniers packed with nappies, spuds, and all the usual items.”

Cycle parking outside shops helps keep shopfronts visible. Having a bike stand outside means space for potentially ten customers right outside the door. Per square metre, cycle parking delivers five times higher retail spend than the same area of car parking, according to European research.

Galway Cycling Campaign says that the city centre could open up streets for people on bikes and people walking through ‘Share With Care’ (‘Roinn le Cúram’ ) zones. Dublin City Council installed its first ‘Share With Care’ zone last autumn and cities like Norwich in the UK have used ‘Share With Care’ to revitalise their city centres.

“‘Share With Care’ gives priority to people walking and cycling. We can design our city to make it easier and safer for people of all ages and all abilities to come into town to shop, to eat, to visit a church, and do everyday business,” Ms Callanan said.