THE National Transport Authority (NTA) is to undertake the first ever survey of walking, wheeling and cycling in the Limerick metropolitan area.
The Walking and Cycling Index, previously known as the Bike Life report, will focus on an extensive area extending from Patrickswell in the south to Clonlara in the north and Shannon to the west.
The NTA will work in partnership with sustainable transport charity Sustrans to carry out the biggest ever survey of walking, wheeling and cycling in Ireland. It will be the first time collecting such in-depth data in Limerick.
The results will provide evidence on public participation and attitudes to walking, wheeling, and cycling and will help support better planning for future developments to meet Climate Action Plan targets.
Around 1,100 people in each of the Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford Metropolitan Areas, representative of all residents, not just those who walk or cycle, will be surveyed.
Individual reports for each metropolitan area will be published early next year.
Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said the index will provide the information needed to put in place the walking, cycling and wheeling infrastructure needed to help people switch away from cars on some journeys.
“We have a unique opportunity to use the data and information from the index to create truly sustainable communities and help reimagine our cities for a net-zero future,” he added.
National Transport Authority chief executive Anne Graham said that by gaining key insights into how people make active travel a part of their daily journey, they could rollout additional pedestrian and cycling infrastructure that attracts more people to choose walking, cycling and wheeling.
