Less people cycling in Waterford now than two years ago
30% of people surveyed said they would like to cycle more.
Just 12% of residents in Waterford cycle once per week, a recent report published by Waterford City and County Council, Kilkenny County Council and the National Transport Authority has found.
815 return trips were cycled daily by residents who could have used a car. That number was 1,000 in 2023.
This is compared to 68% of residents who use a car five or more days a week.
However, the report also found that 32% of people want to cycle more.
According to the report, safety (road safety and personal safety) is the single biggest barrier to cycling. However, over half (51%) of all residents think their local area is a good place to cycle. This is down from 55% in 2023.
Although there have been growing criticisms of Active Travel projects from local representatives across the political spectrum, the report found that 86% of residents support constructing cycling infrastructure that is physically separated from traffic and pedestrians, even where this would mean reallocating road space from vehicles.
The report highlighted that many residents in Waterford want to cycle but do not feel safe doing so due to a lack of infrastructure.
Just 5% of households are within 125 metres of either traffic-free cycle paths away from the road, cycle paths physically separated from traffic and pedestrians, or signposted routes along quieter streets.
In the area studied, there was just 1km of cycle paths physically separated from traffic and pedestrians.
On average, 70% of residents would be helped to start cycling or cycle more by better facilities.
The report also highlighted some of the economic advantages of cycling. According to the study, the total annual economic benefit from all cycling trips within the Waterford Metropolitan Area (which comprises Waterford City, Passage East, Kilcohan, Carriganore, Grannagh Castle, and Slieverue) amounts to €9.5 million.
In terms of the environmental benefits, this is the equivalent to the carbon footprint of 8,900 people taking flights from Dublin to London Heathrow.
