Walking and cycling has taken 680,000 cars off the roads of Ireland's five largest cities.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has conducted the largest ever survey of walking, wheeling and cycling in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford cities.
In all of the areas, more than half of adults walk five or more days per week, while at least 15% cycle once a week.
In Dublin 71% of residents walk or wheel at least five days a week, and one in four cycle at least once a week.
The NTA has published the findings of the largest-ever survey of walking, wheeling, and cycling in Ireland.
The #walkingandcyclingindex survey carried out across Dublin, Cork, Limerick/Shannon, Waterford and Galway can be viewed at: https://t.co/9ls8fxlQyn#ActiveTravel pic.twitter.com/a5z6a5HK8t— Transport for Ireland (@TFIupdates) March 5, 2024
The NTA says walking and cycling is helping to reduce traffic congestion in Dublin city.
The report found 530,000 return walking and cycling trips are made each day in the Dublin Metropolitan Area by people who could have used a car.
The NTA says "if these cars were all in a traffic jam it would tail back 2,500 kilometres equivalent to over 9 times the distance from Dublin city to Cork city.
Finola O'Driscoll, Senior Programme Manager at the National Transport Authority, says the study also found a high level of support for more government spending on walking and wheeling.
Ireland is comparing very well with our UK city region. We have far greater support for investment in sustainable and active travel in Ireland and support for things like reducing through-traffic and increasing space for people walking and cycling on main streets.
