Cork County Gears Up for Bike Week 2024

Launching a countywide programme for Bike Week Cork 2024, Cork County Council is encouraging everyone to get on their bike and discover the joys of cycling. The week-long celebration of cycling runs from Saturday the 11th to Sunday the 19th of May and will feature over 300 events across County Cork. Cyclists of all ages and abilities are invited to join in the activities and consider making cycling part of their daily routine as a way of commuting to work, to school or for leisure activities.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank O’Flynn welcomed Bike Week Cork 2024 saying,

Bike Week is an opportunity for Cork County Council, together with Cork Sports Partnership, to highlight and promote the many benefits of cycling. 92 schools within the county have signed up to host a Bike Week event for 2024, representing a 50% increase on the 2023 figure. A special Bike Week school’s webinar will promote cycle safety to over 2,000 school children and cycle challenges have been organised in several schools to encourage cycling to school during the week. Highlighting the Cycle Bus initiative in Skibbereen, Cork County Council is working with Cycle Sense, five local primary schools and local volunteers to organise a ‘Mega Skibbereen Cycle Bus’. While in Carrigtwohill, employees at the Business and Technology Park and local primary school students attending after school at Mary Geary’s Childcare will take to their bikes. Whether you are a new, occasional cyclist or experienced cyclist, I encourage you to take part in this year’s programme. Bike Week is the perfect opportunity to get on a bike, get active and have fun.

James Kirby, Cork Sports Partnership said, “Following months of collaboration between Cork Sports Partnership, Cork County Council, Cork City Council and multiple Cork cycling organisations, agencies, communities, clubs and schools, Bike Week 2024, is shaping up to be County Cork’s largest celebration of cycling. The programme includes something for everyone with leisure cycles, come and try sessions, bike maintenance workshops, online workshops and resources, challenges, competitions, and scenic cycles alongside events to be held within schools, workplaces, disability services, youth groups and across communities.”

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Valerie O’Sullivan highlighted significant investment in cycling infrastructure in the county,

Plans are being implemented that will provide continuous pedestrian and cycle connectivity from Dunkettle to Youghal. Cork County Council has already delivered a significant part of this network with the completed sections of the Dunkettle to Carrigtwohill Inter-Urban route. In addition, the opening of Phase 1 of the Midleton to Youghal Greenway with further phases to be opened in 2024 will provide viable sustainable commuting alternatives. The Cork Metropolitan Walking and Cycling Index (WACI) published earlier this year provides a clear picture of the walking, wheeling, and cycling opportunities for our residents and strengthens the case for delivering on our ambitious targets for active travel.

In Metropolitan Cork, 25% of all residents cycle with 18% cycling at least once a week. This equates to 7 million cycling trips annually and adds up to 43.4 million kilometres. A central benefit of more people cycling is their contribution to mitigating our climate crisis. The Index showed 2,100 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions are saved annually by cycling instead of driving. Metropolitan Cork encompasses the towns of Carrigaline, Carrigtwohill, Midleton and Cobh in Cork County.

For details of all Bike Week events taking place in Cork County this year, visit www.corkbikeweek.ie