#Allocate4Cycling - ending the silence from the minister of transport

Last October we held Ireland’s largest ever cycle protest when almost 1,000 cyclists took to the streets to demand proper funding for cycling. We’re taking to the streets again on Wednesday 22nd February, gathering from 12.45pm outside the office of the Minister for Transport, Shane Ross in Leeson Lane and cycling to the Dáil at 1.00pm. We’re calling on the Minister to:

• allocate at least 10% of the Transport Budget to cycling
• implement the National Cycle Policy Framework in full
• take action to reduce transport emissions so that Ireland fulfils its obligations under the Paris Agreement

We want to make this the biggest and the best protest yet so bring all your cycling friends. Write/email/Tweet/call your TDs (Oireachtas switchboard (01) 618 3000) and tell them you’re coming and ask them to come out and meet us and show their support for cycling. Get your loudest bell ready and make your own placards telling everyone what you want for cycling.

The protest is organised by Dublin Cycling Campaign in collaboration with Cyclist.ie - the Irish Cycling Advocacy Network which is the member for Ireland of the European Cyclists’ Federation. Also supporting the protest are An Taisce - the National Trust for Ireland, Stop Climate Chaos coalition (of which Cyclist.ie are a member organisation) and Love 30, an umbrella body of organisations and individuals who believe that lower speed limits can make our towns and cities safer and more pleasant places to live, work and play.

Our supporter Stop Climate Chaos held its largest mass lobby yet last November, with over 100 TDs and Senators meeting with over 150 supporters of the coalition for a climate action briefing. One of the day’s asks was to Realign Transport Investment to Achieve the Goals of the Smarter Travel Policy by prioritising walking, cycling and clean public transport. So far, this realignment has the backing of almost 60 TDs and Senators. You can read their letter to Minister Ross here.

Dublin Cycling Campaign is calling on everyone who uses a bike in Dublin - for transportation or for leisure - to join our protest on Wednesday 22nd February to send a loud-and-clear message to the Minister that he needs to recognise that the status quo is not good enough - cycling needs proper funding to make it safer and to enable Dublin to reach its potential as a world class cycling city.

Watch this space over the coming days. We will have more information on the protest. And if you can spare time over the coming week to help us distribute flyers and get the word out, do please contact us. All help gratefully received.

If you can’t get hold of the flyers, you can still spread the message with our handy printable cut out slips and flyer.

We have created a Facebook Event for the protest, please share it to encourage your friends to come along too.

Finally, Dublin Cycling Campaign wishes to pay a special thanks to graphic designer, Andrea Figueira, for her lovely artwork once again delivered to us promptly and professionally. A sincere thanks Andrea!!