More than half walk or wheel

There is a gender gap when it comes to cycling in Cork, a new first of its kind travel survey has found.

Results of a walking, wheeling and cycling survey which for the first time focused on Cork solely were published this week and showed a gender gap in those who cycle with 25% of men cycling at least once a week, compared with 12% of women.

These figures were published on Tuesday by the National Transport Authority (NTA) as part of its first survey of walking, wheeling and cycling in the Cork metropolitan area. It revealed that 52% of residents walk or wheel (meaning the use of a wheelchair or mobility scooter) at least five times a week while 18% cycle at least once a week.

The Cork Metropolitan Area Walking and Cycling Index is based on an independent demographically representative survey of nearly 1,100 residents from across the Cork metropolitan area, aged 16 and above, not just those who walk, wheel or cycle.

The Cork metropolitan area covers an area from Midleton to Blarney and south to Carrigaline.

Environmental benefits

Every day 69,000 return walking and cycling trips are made daily in the Cork metropolitan area by people who could have used a car.

If these cars were all in a traffic jam it would tail back 333 kilometres equivalent to the distance from Cork city to Dundalk.

The report found walking, wheeling and cycling save 18,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in Cork each year, which is equivalent to about 227,000 residents taking flights from Cork Airport to London Heathrow Airport.

Health and inclusivity

The benefits of walking, wheeling and cycling to the Cork metropolitan area are outlined in the report, with the physical activity benefits of walking, wheeling and cycling preventing 729 long-term health conditions annually, valued at €10.7 million equivalent to the cost of over 190,000 GP appointments, the NTA claimed.

The Index showed that residents’ travel choices and their perceptions of walking, wheeling, and cycling vary between different groups.

It found that 31% of residents with a disability walk or wheel at least five days a week in Cork, compared to 54% of residents without a disability. 2% of residents with a disability cycle at least once a week compared to 20% without.

While 52% of women and 51% of men walk or wheel at least five days a week, there is a gender gap when it comes to cycling, with 25% of men cycling at least once a week, compared with 12% of women.

Better place to live

Residents recognise the importance of liveable neighbourhoods. 80% agree that increasing space for residents socialising, walking, wheeling and cycling on their local main street would improve their local area.

82% support creating low traffic neighbourhoods where groups of streets, bordered by main roads, have ‘through’ motor vehicle traffic greatly reduced. 86% support the creation of 20 minute neighbourhoods.

Economic benefits

The report also found walking, wheeling and cycling create an annual economic benefit for individuals and the Cork metro area of €401.6 million.

This includes €1.40 of a net economic benefit for each km cycled instead of driven and €0.93 benefit of each km walked instead of driven. These costs were determined through an analysis of travel time, vehicle operating costs, health benefits, air quality and taxation.

Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Kieran McCarthy said: “It is enlightening to know that those choosing to walk and cycle instead of drive are creating over €400m per annum economic benefit to the metropolitan area, which is saving the equivalent of 227,000 flights from Cork to Heathrow in greenhouse gas emissions.

“We will continue in our efforts to make Cork a healthy, sustainable, attractive place for those who live, work and visit the area,” added the lord mayor.

Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr Frank O’Flynn, said: “It is encouraging to know that our residents are choosing to walk and cycle, demonstrating their commitment to our continued investment in active travel infrastructure, which we deliver with support from the National Transport Authority.

“Examples include the Dunkettle to Carrigtwohill Greenway and our ambitious plans for Middleton and Carrigaline. We look forward to using the Index to implement our plans and create a happier, healthier Cork which will benefit our residents, visitors, communities, and businesses.,” said the county mayor.