Bike Week comes to Londonderry

The ‘Politically Painless Active Travel Seminars’ will be delivered by CTC, the national cycling charity, and Sustrans with support from Travelwise NI, the sustainable transport team within the Department for Regional Development. The events will explore the health, financial, environmental and social benefits resulting from the long-term integration of cycling into everyday life.

The conferences will be held during Bike Week on 19th June at The Guildhall Derry from 10am to 3pm and in Belfast at The Mac from 6pm to 8.30pm. Open to the public, the events are free to attend with online registration available at www.ctc.org.uk/Politically-Painless-Active-Travel-Registration until 18th June 2013.

Speakers will include Dr. Rachel Aldred, a Senior Lecturer in Transport at the University of Westminster who recently led pioneering research into cycling cities in the UK in order to find out why cycling thrives in particular areas.

Lillli Matson, Head of Delivery Planning for Transport for London will also present on best practice for implementing active travel on crowded road space and the importance of political leadership to increase usage.

In Derry/Londonderry the event will be co-chaired by Jimmy Spratt & Sean Lynch, Chair & Deputy Chair of the Regional Development Committee and in Belfast by Tom McClelland of CTC. There will also be a Q&A session with the panel of speakers and members of the Regional Development Committee offering attendees the opportunity to have their voice heard on topics including infrastructure, planned investment and safe cycling.

Speaking ahead of the conference, Transport Minister Danny Kennedy said: “Cycling has a positive impact on our community and already great steps have been made to enhance Northern Ireland’s sustainable transport credentials including investment in cycling lanes and infrastructure. The conference during Bike Week will provide a platform for the public to find out more about how Northern Ireland can become more focused on active travel and the individual and wider community benefits of doing so.”

Tom McClelland from CTC said: “Active travel can bring many socio-economic benefits to the region through enhancing the health and wellbeing of the local population and decreasing negative environmental impacts. It also increases access to employment and training opportunities and promotes a more sustainable use of urban space. With the right political support, Northern Ireland can transform into a cycling city and I look forward to learning more during the conference about best-practice in other countries.”

Ross McGill from Sustrans added: “This is a great opportunity to celebrate our successes and look at the real challenges going forward.”