By Jane Hackett
The landscape of our streets has changed dramatically since the 2020 lockdown. We noticed the sudden overnight flip from the din sound of whizzing traffic to the sounds of insects and birds reclaiming space. Movement was slowed, yet not before long, there has been a positive influx of cyclists taking to the quieter streets to enjoy making the most of their 2-5km zone. In many towns and streets, space was reclaimed to allow for recreational walkers and cyclists to share the pavement. The motor vehicles, which once dominated this public space, were brought to a slow finally allowing children, families and individuals to fully enjoy the new terrain of their communities. We are seeing many new cyclists hopping back in the saddle to experience again the joys and the freedoms of the bicycle, and many of those, much to our delight, are young women! It has been wonderful to see multigenerational cyclists taking to the streets and it looks like this trend is set to stay.
In place of Bike Week 2020, Green-Schools launched a week-long initiative #CelebrateCycling, which celebrates the many cyclists, both novice and accomplished. Have a listen to RTÉ’s Ecolution cycling-special Podcast episode featuring Green-Schools Cycling Development Officer Allison Phillips, Green-Schools Travel manager Jane Hackett, Green-Schools students Evie and Fraya. Also featured on the episode, around 23 minutes in, is Secondary School Development Officer Robbie Egan, and #andshecycles panelists Davitt College’s Emer and Fiona Minish who each speak about their experience on the campaign.
https://www.rte.ie/radio/radioplayer/html5/#/junior/21789868
Click here if you want to read the whole article about #andshecycles campaign:
