Latest news with #NationalBikeWeek
Irish Independent
21-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
‘I've had so many parents come to me with near-miss stories', says principal
Pupils at Harold's Cross Educate Together NS are using GoPro cameras as part of a new research project aimed at highlighting dangerous conditions for young pedestrians and cyclists. Cameras mounted on bikes, scooters and backpacks record the hazards schoolchildren face on their daily commutes, from speeding cars and poor infrastructure to risky junctions. The footage will be analysed to identify patterns and build a data-driven case for road safety improvements near schools. The initiative, launched during National Bike Week, is being led by University College Dublin's Professor Francesco Pilla. 'One of the main barriers to cycling – [cited by] around 50pc of participants in our previous project – said they're afraid to cycle because of driver behaviour and poor infrastructure. That's why people don't go on bikes,' he said. 'You lose ten years of life every time you go to school with your kids. The road is completely unsafe. 'Even on the footpath, things can go wrong. Cars and bikes don't stop at red lights, and we've had near misses and even children hit by other bikes. 'By capturing their unfiltered perspectives, we gain crucial insight into the challenges children face on the road, whether it's speeding, near misses or poor crossings,' he added. Harold's Cross Educate Together NS, which currently operates from temporary buildings and has no car parking, has a strong active travel culture. The school's Parents and Staff Association collaborated with Professor Pilla, whose own children attend the school, to launch the project, which aims to strengthen the case for changes such as pedestrian crossings or the appointment of a traffic warden. Most pupils and staff walk, cycle or use public transport, but principal Aoife Kelly says they are doing so in unsafe conditions. 'We've been raising this for years,' she said. 'There's no pedestrian crossing at the junction of Harold's Cross Road and Leinster Road. It's chaos in the mornings, with drivers turning while the light is red, cars flying past. The kids are now able to capture that on camera.' But she believes that without proper infrastructure, enthusiasm alone isn't enough. 'When I joined the school last year, it reminded me of Amsterdam. There are cargo bikes everywhere, it's amazing,' she said. 'But the safety just isn't there. We don't have parking, so everyone either walks, cycles or uses public transport. That should be a good thing, but the roads make it dangerous. 'I've had so many parents come to me with near-miss stories, and now the kids are telling me their own. It's got to a point where something has to change,' she added. Following the initial pilot phase, which will last as long as is necessary to test equipment and collect data, the project plans to expand to other schools across the country. 'These aren't isolated issues,' said Professor Pilla. 'We're already getting interest from other schools. The goal is to create a model that can be replicated, one that empowers children and their families to demand change.'
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
National Bike Week: Bike maintenance 101
BOSTON (WWLP) – It's National Bike Week, and there's no better time to learn some basic bike maintenance to keep yourself safe on the road. Whether you ride a bike from your neighbor's yard sale or a top-of-the-line racing bike, basic care for your bike remains the same. Before every ride, you'll want to check your ABCs–that stands for air, brakes, and chain. It is easiest to check these essential functions of your bike with the wheels up. First, you will want to be sure your tires are inflated, and you can find the PSI you should be aiming for on the side of your tire. It doesn't matter what type of brakes your bike uses–what matters most is that they work. Check that out before you ride. As for your chain, make sure it isn't sticking and keep it lubricated. You can find chain lube at your local bike shop, and keep up with this on your own. Now that you're ready to hit the road, make sure you're wearing a well-fitting helmet–you only get one brain! On the road, you will want to ride on the same side of the road as cars and follow all the traffic laws they do. The best way to prevent an accident is by being predictable. Always signal your turns, and keep your wits about you. For extra safety, use lights on your bike! A white light always faces forward, and a red light faces backward to show other riders and cars that you're up ahead. Use the blinking settings to save battery and catch cars' attention! One last thing before you buckle your helmet and hit the road. Just like you would never text and drive, keep your phone away while you are biking, too. A focused cyclist is a safe cyclist. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Northampton hosts annual Bike Breakfast for National Bike Week
NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) – Cyclists across the country are celebrating National Bike Week, and the city of Northampton held their annual Bike Breakfast Wednesday morning. Bike ride with Westfield mayor along city streets and rail trail to promote safer streets The annual Northampton Bike Breakfast falls in the middle of a week focused on promoting bicycling as an environmentally friendly mode of transportation. In its 26th year, the Bike Breakfast is the oldest bike commuter breakfast in Massachusetts. But, it's just one of several events this week highlighting the sport's public health benefits and growing community. The rest of the week brings group bike rides, bike fix-it clinics, and downtown businesses are offering discounts to people who come in with helmets, all with the goal of getting people out of their cars and on the trails. 'There are a lot of ways that cycling can be incorporated into a lot of communities here. And I think it's great to see so much enthusiasm for the sport, which I think is so inclusive to all different kinds of people and levels of riding,' said Amanda Stenroose of the Northampton Cycling Club. The city of Northampton has over 30 miles of shared bike trails that are easily accessible to about 70 percent of Northampton's residents. All reasons that cyclists say Northampton has embraced the bicycling movement and is working to spread their message to other communities across western Massachusetts. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Agriland
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- Agriland
RSA issues safety advice as National Bike Week underway
As National Bike Week 2025 rolls into gear, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is urging all motorists to keep a safe distance and reduce speed when overtaking cyclists – not just during Bike Week, but every day of the year. The RSA has stated that cycling is a healthy, sustainable and increasingly popular form of travel for people of all ages. However the RSA added that cyclists remain one of the most vulnerable road users. Over the past five years (2020-2024), 45 cyclists were killed and 1,278 cyclists were seriously injured. The RSA is reminding drivers of their duty to share the road safely. Motorists must allow at least 1m when overtaking cyclists in speed zones up to 50km/h and at least 1.5m in zones over 50km/h. Cyclists can be thrown off course by sudden gusts of wind or by having to swerve around potholes or uneven road surfaces – making these distances a crucial buffer for safety, according to the RSA. Director of partnerships and external affairs with RSA, Sarah O'Connor said: 'Cycling should be a fun and safe activity, whether for commuting, school, or leisure. 'But too often, we see lives changed or lost in preventable collisions. Drivers must slow down, check their mirrors and blind spots, and give cyclists the space they need. It's not just about rules, it's about respect and responsibility on the road.' Motorists are also reminded to take extra care at junctions, especially when making left turns, and to check carefully for cyclists before opening car doors. At the same time, the RSA is calling on cyclists to take personal responsibility for their own safety and that of others. This includes ensuring their bikes are roadworthy, wearing high-visibility clothing, and using lights and reflectors. Wearing a cycle helmet can reduce the risk of head, neck and facial injuries by 33%, the RSA has said. Riders are encouraged to seek advice from bike shops to find a helmet that fits properly and to replace it after any impact. Bike Week 2025 runs from Saturday, May 10 to Sunday, May 18 with Bike to Work Day taking place on Wednesday, May 14. The week-long celebration features community rides, safety workshops, school events and more, organised nationwide by local authorities, cycling clubs and community groups.
Irish Daily Mirror
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Daily Mirror
Dangerous roads putting Irish people off cycling, new survey finds
Around 80% of Irish people never or rarely ride a bike, a new survey has found, with just 13% cycling weekly. Despite the Government spending over €1 billion on cycling infrastructure since 2020, the main reason given for not using pedal-powered transport was the country's dangerous roads. The study found that over half of adults in Ireland (56%) would not take up cycling due to safety concerns. The findings come ahead of National Bike Week which began on Saturday and at a time when the number of cyclists is way down on the European average despite the massive government spending on promoting cycling in the last five years. Across Europe, 24% of EU citizens cycle at least once a week – rising to 61.3% in the Netherlands, 47% in Denmark, and 42% in Finland. But just 13% of Irish respondents report cycling at least once per week, with only 5% cycling more than once per month while a striking 82% admit to rarely or never riding a bike. The lack of safe bicycle lanes, especially in towns and cities across the country also appears to be a major factor inhibiting the takeup of cycling. The survey found that most people cycle for leisure or exercise (25%), with fewer than 10% doing so to commute or cycle with children or family. One of the main reasons for not cycling the RedClick Shared Streets survey found was the issue of safety, especially among women. It found that females were over 25% more likely than men to say safety concerns have stopped them cycling. Other top barriers for not getting on a bike included the volume of traffic on the country's roads (66%), dangerous driving (61%) and lack of segregated bike lanes (40%). Previous incidents or near-misses as well as poor street lighting were also concerns raised by those reluctant to get on a bike. Many respondents also pointed out the impracticality of using a bike as their mode of transport, especially when going to work. In addition to safety-related concerns, respondents cited poor weather (34%) as a deterrent while others pointed to the inconvenience of arriving sweaty or windswept (18%) at their destination. Another complaint was limited access to secure bike parking (15%), and inadequate workplace facilities such as showers or changing rooms (12%). When it came to ownership the study found that 35% of adults own a standard bike; 4% own an electric bike, 1% possess a cargo bike while 5% use RedClick dublinbikes or other bike sharing services In the capital the study found that nine percent of adults use RedClick dublinbikes or another bike share scheme. While the numbers taking to the road on bikes is increasing the survey shows that there is still a long way to go to reach average EU cycling levels despite the huge amounts spent on infrastructure by the government. In its National Sustainability Mobility Policy the government aims to deliver at least 500,000 additional daily active travel and public transport journeys by 2030. The Government is continuing to invest in cycling infrastructure with €1million per day earmarked for active travel in 2025. The research was conducted by independent polling company Ireland Thinks, with a nationally representative sample of 1,648 participants on behalf of RedClick. The company's general manager Lorenzo Ioan said: 'As proud partners of the RedClick dublinbikes scheme, operated by JCDecaux on behalf of Dublin City Council, we're proud to support National Bike Week with new research that gives insight into how people feel about cycling today - and what would help make it a more realistic option for more people. 'People clearly recognise the health, environmental and lifestyle benefits of cycling. And while the survey highlights certain barriers, they are practical and solvable - especially with the strong foundation already in place thanks to sustained Government investment in cycling infrastructure. 'That's why we launched the Shared Streets campaign: to help close the gap between intention and action by supporting safer, more inclusive public spaces where cycling is not just possible, but actively supported and encouraged.'
