National Bike Week

2010 Kerry Report

Report compiled by Cora Carrigg, CoOrdinator, Kerry Local Sports Partnership

Overview

In Kerry, an organizing committee was established which included representatives from a number of local cycling clubs and Kerry Local Sports Partnership. The week’s events was supplemented by the co- operation of An Garda Siochana, An Taisce, Kerry County Council, Killarney Chamber of Commerce, Order of Malta and Radio Kerry.

A number of planned initiatives were rolled out during 2010 National Bike Week: -  Family Fun 4 Mile Cycle  Currow Weekend of Cycling – Annual John Drumm Cup  Cycle to School/Work Series  BIKE to your BOOKS promotion  Bike Shop In Store Promotions  Cycle Workshops

Event Feedback

Family Fun 4 Mile Cycle

Kerry Local Sports Partnership officially launched Bike Week 2010 with a Family Fun 4 Mile Cycle which was held in Currow, in conjunction with weekend of cycling planned by Currow Cycling Club.

While the Kerry footballers were battling it out with Cork in the Munster semi final replay, and the rain pouring down, a brave number of family members took part in this fun event. Each participant entered into a raffle to win bike shop vouchers from local cycling shops – Jim Caball and Anthony O’Halloran. The cycle took about 30 minutes followed with refreshments and lively banter in Currow Community Centre.

A total of 31 participants took part. The fun event was enjoyed by all and encouraged cycling throughout the County. Kerry LSP would like to thank everybody who took part and assisted on the day namely, Currow Cycling Club, Kerry County Council Roads Department, Cycling Garda Traffic Corp and Order of Malta.

Currow Weekend of Cycling

Organised by Currow Cycling Club this weekend saw up to 160 cyclists from across all the categories compete in a series of underage and senior races as well as the main event of the weekend the John Drumm Cup.

Michael Fitzgerald of The Edge CC being presented with the John Drumm Cup ‐ 2010

Cycle to School/Work Series

Promoted by An Taisce Green Schools and the Killarney Chamber of Commerce.

Green-Schools Travel asked all participating schools to submit their results of participation either as part of an entire week of events or as the Green- Schools Travel National COW. Results from 7 schools in Kerry, shows 97 students cycled to school or 10% - the current national average for cycling to school is 1.5%. It is possible that more Kerry schools took part in the week’s activities, but this is based on data submitted.

In the context of the national programme 118 Green-Schools Travel schools participated in Bike Week 2010 or 3717 students which equates to an average of 15%.

Although no specific numbers relating to cycle to work, the feedback is based on observation, in that there was a noticeable increase in the number of cyclists in the mornings and evening times.

Point of note: The 2010 Ring Of Kerry Charity Cycle event hit record numbers with at least 6000 people participating, close to a 50% increase on 2009 entries. It is clearly evident that more people in Kerry are cycling, for leisure, competition or commuting as a mode of transport.

BIKE to your BOOKS Promotion

An innovative initiative which was promoted by Kerry Libraries. This initiative supported 22 participants who opted to bike to their books in the Caherciveen, Castleisland, Killorglin, Kenmare, Killarney and Listowel Areas. Hopefully participants will now view the bike as an alternative mode of transport to their books.

Cycle Workshops

A total of four cycle information workshops were presented during national bike week, an initiative promoted by the local cycling clubs in Kerry – Chain Gang CC Tralee, Cumann Rothaiochta CC Dingle and Currow Cycling Club respectively. Workshops were delivered across the county – Currow, Tralee and Dingle areas.

Just some of the topics discussed include:

 Choosing the right bike for your intended use  Basic Bike Maintenance – puncture repair, tube replacement, minor gear/brake adjustments  General practical tips

Attendance at the informative and practical based cycle workshops involved 54 participants. This was a good number in attendance considering the sun was beaming down!

In addition Kerry Cyclist Paul Griffin presented a very informative programme show on Radio Kerry, based around training programmes and nutritional advice, whilst giving very practical advice to all cyclists preparing for the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle.

(Copy of Radio Kerry Programme Show – National Bike Week Promotion and Paul Griffin Information Workshop)