National Bike Week

2011 Kerry Report

Report compiled by Cora Carrigg, CoOrdinator, Kerry Recreation & Sports Partnership

Overview

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

A number of planned initiatives were rolled out during 2011 National Bike Week as well as Friday July 1st, in conjunction with the Cycle: - 1. Cycling Club Leisure Tour 2. National Schools – Introduction to Bike Skills Training X 3 Schools 3. Bike Maintenance Educational Workshops X 5 areas 4. Cycle to School/Work Series – National Cow Day 5. BIKE to your BOOKS promotion 6. Cycle on the Green – Sneem 7. Pedal in the Park – July 1st, 2011

Event Feedback National Bike Week - Launch

In Kerry, National Bike Week was launched by Minister Jimmy Deenihan, highlighting the events taking place during the week.

1. Currow Cycling Club Leisure Tour

Kerry Local Sports Partnership officially launched Bike Week 2011 kicked off with a leisure tour, hosted by Currow Cycling Club.

A total of 58 participants took part. The fun event was enjoyed by all and encouraged cycling throughout the County.

2. National Schools – Introduction to Bike Skills Training

An introduction to bike skills training facilitated by Cycling Club, was conducted in five schools across the county, notable Killorglin, Caherciveen and Beaufort areas.

A total of 132 students went through this valuable training, by the local cycling club. Kerry Recreation and Sports Partnership (KRSP) through the assistance of National Bike Week were able to support this training.

3. Bike Maintenance Educational Workshops

A total of five bike maintenance education workshops were presented during national bike week, an initiative promoted by the local cycling clubs in Kerry – Chain Gang CC , Cumann Rothaiochta CC , Killorglin CC, Tralee CC respectively. Workshops were delivered across the county – Caherciveen, Dingle, Killorglin, Sneem and Tralee. Club members or shop owners delivered the well attended and informative workshops.

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

Total attendance during the week was 141 participants.

Kerry Cyclist Paul Griffin shared his knowledge and experiences, based around training programmes and nutritional advice, whilst giving very practical advice to all cyclists preparing for the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle.

Cathaoirleach Kerry Recreation and Sports Partnership, Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, attended the Tralee workshop and left with a lot more information than commencement of workshop.

4. Cycle to School/Work Series

Promoted by An Taisce Green Schools

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.

Point of note: The 2011 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.

5. BIKE to your BOOKS Promotion

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

6. Cycle on the Green - Sneem

Cycle on the Green was a community based effort in Sneem, . Parents and children gathered together for novelty cycling challenges. Great fun had by all and parents really saw the benefit and joy that could be had from cycling as a family based activity. A total of 48 participants took part in this fun event.

7. Pedal in the Park The Pedal in the Park event was the first of its kind in Kerry, and was made possible through the support of National Bike Week.

The Ring of Kerry Cycle, which is now in its 28th year always takes place the first Saturday in July. This is a 112 mile circuit around the ‘Ring of Kerry’. There is only one route, therefore no option for a family friendly fun cycle. Therefore Kerry Recreation and Sports Partnership approached the Ring of Kerry committee to see if they would be interested in supporting the event. Positive steps made so event was set in motion….

Cathaoirleach Kerry Recreation and Sports Partnership, Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, entertained the 153 participants, young and old, who took part in the 10km cycle around Killarney National Park. The support of the following agencies was essential in the hosting of this event: -  Killarney National Park  Killarney Town Council  Ring of Kerry Committee  KRSP Board Members

As a result of the event and the overwhelming feedback received it is hoped that this event will grow in the coming years.

Summary of Activities/Participant Numbers

Currow Cycling Club Leisure Tour 58

National Schools – Introduction to 132 Bike Skills Training

Bike Maintenance Educational 141 Workshops Cycle to School/Work Series 97 BIKE to your BOOKS promotion 22

Cycle on the Green – Sneem 48

Pedal in the Park 153

TOTAL Number Participants 651

EVENTS IN KERRY 2011

national bike week

Following the success of 2010 Bike Week in Kerry in which over 358 people participated in a variety of cycling events; and con tinuing to get our county’s wheels in motion numerous events are planned across our county for 2011 Bike Week, which is taking place 18th - 26th June. Ever wondered how to fix a puncture?!! A number of bike maintenance ed ucational workshops, organised by local SAVE THE DATE!! This year will see the inaugural Ring of Kerry Family Pedal in cycling clubs, will be delivered countywide both for the cyclist and non-cyclist. the Park 10k Cycle , which takes place Friday 1st July. Why not bring along Topics to be discussed include: family members to Killarney National Park and join in the fun on the eve of • Choosing the right bike for your intended use the Ring of Kerry Cycle! All cyclists must wear a helmet and children U-10 • Basic bike maintenance especially puncture repair, tube replacement ac companied by an adult. or minor gear/brake adjustments as well as tips on general bike cleaning

Location Workshops Date/Time Venue Contact Countywide BIKE to your BOOKS promotion - Kerry Library June 18th-26th Kerry County Library Staff at Local Library, Kerry County Council Library users who cycle to any Kerry Library during National Branches Bike Week will not be charged to borrow books. Cyclists must show their cycling helmet to staff to avail of the offer. Currow Currow Cycling Club Leisure Tour Sunday 19th June Currow Community Centre Tom Kenny, Currow Cycling Club - 50 & 80km route options Sign On: 9am 087 412 9509 Start Time: 10am Killorglin National Schools - Monday 20th June Killorglin Dan Aherne, Killorglin Credit Union Cycling Club Introduction to Bike Skills Training 10am-12 noon Douglas National School 086 156 5228 1pm-3pm National School Dingle Bike Maintenance Educational Workshop Tuesday 21st June Meeting Rooms, Marina Breedge Granville, Cumman Rothaiochta Dingle Hands On Workshop - Bring Your Own Bike! 7.00pm - 8.30pm Dingle 087 134 6566 Caherciveen National Schools Tuesday 21st June Dan Aherne, Killorglin Credit Union Cycling Club Introduction to Bike Skills Training 10am - 12 noon Coars N.S. 086 156 5228 1pm - 3pm Scoil An Fhaill Mor Caherciveen Bike Maintenance Educational Workshop Tuesday 21st June Caherciveen Community Centre Casey Cycles, Killorglin Credit Union Cycling Club 7.30pm - 9pm 066 947 2474 Countywide National COW Day (Cycle on Wednesday) Wednesday 22nd June Cycle to school or work ... or even better, cycle with your child to school and then cycle to work! Beaufort National Schools Wednesday 22nd June Kilgobnet N.S. Dan Aherne, Killorglin Credit Union Cycling Club Introduction to Bike Skills Training 10am - 12 noon 086 156 5228 Tralee Bike Maintenance Educational Workshop Wednesday 22nd June Meadowlands Hotel Tomas Crowley, Chain Gang Cycling Club 086 677 2668 & Training Programme Q&A Session 8pm - 9.30pm John O’Dowd, Tralee Cycling Club 086 177 7271 with Kerry Cyclist Paul Griffin Sneem Cycle on the Green Wednesday 22nd June South Square Louis Moriarty, Sneem Cycling 7pm - 9pm 086 838 7342 Killorglin Bike Maintenance Educational Workshop Friday 24th June Killorglin Sports Complex Peter White, Killorglin Credit Union Cycling Club 8pm - 9.30pm 087 325 1500 Sneem Bike Maintenance Educational Workshop Saturday 25th June North Square Michael Joe Burns Cycle Shop/Sneem Cycling 11am - 1pm 087 923 0002 Sneem Family Fun Cycle - 20km Sunday 26th June South Square Louis Moriarty, Sneem Cycling 086 838 7342 For children aged 12 years and above 12 noon Killarney Ring of Kerry Family Pedal in the Park Friday 1st July Deenagh Lodge Kerry Recreation & Sports Partnership 066 718 4776 10km Cycle Registration: 6.30pm Killarney National Park Killarney National Park Start: 7.30pm Kerry Cycling Clubs For further information contact: Kerry Recreation and Sports Partnership T : 066 7184776 E : [email protected] www.kerryrecreationandsports.ie