Wicklow County Council has installed two ebikes in County Buildings for use by staff. The bikes were launched on Monday (15th May) to mark National Bike Week.
The bikes can be used by staff to make local work trips in and around the town of Wicklow and Rathnew. The aim is to promote active travel amongst staff and reduce the number of car journeys made by staff.
Almost 74 per cent of all journeys in Ireland are made by car and while car usage may be necessary for many journeys there is a great opportunity to shift to more active travel options for shorter ones.
Seventy per cent of journeys are less than 15 minutes in length, with an estimated 20 per cent of the total being no longer than 2kms. The statistics demonstrate that there is huge scope to reduce car dependence and the associated greenhouse gas emissions by switching to active travel options such as walking and cycling.
Ebikes are a technology that can help to extend the distance commuted, shorten the timespan of journeys, help less experienced cyclists get back into cycling and assist with the sometimes steeper terrain experienced in Wicklow. An ebike is also easier to park in town centres.
Emer O’Gorman, Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, commented: “The bikes are a fast and efficient way to undertake shorter journeys and will be very useful for connecting staff from County Buildings to the many local services we operate within the town of Wicklow including the library, the recycling centre, the Municipal District offices, the depot, our water laboratory services and the Local Enterprise Office in Clermont Campus, Rathnew”.
Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Tommy Annesley, commented: “New technologies like ebikes are easier to use around town and can play a significant role in improving access to our town centres and services around town. It great to see Wicklow County Council celebrating National Bike Week with this promotion of active travel for its staff.”
