WE’RE BACK

If you found that some of our external links did not work properly in the past, we apologise and assure you that the matter has been rectified. If any users have difficulties with the website, please let us know at maynoothcycling@gmail.com.

BIKE WEEK FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS & 3rd LEVEL

Due to lack of advance notice, MC did not organise any events in NUIM as part of Bike Week 2011. However we were invited to organise a leisure cycle for TYS and older years in Maynooth and Celbridge secondary schools. Although leisure cycles are not a core part of what we are about, we agreed to do it in order to show young people a different side of cycling. The cycle was postponed from last week and will be rearranged for some future date.

OIL PRICES

With oil now reaching $120 /barrel and upwards, the usual suspects are calling for taxes to be lowered on fuel so that people can continue to drive as much as they previously have. Maynooth Cycling opposes any reduction in taxes, whether temporary or permanent and endorses the action of the Spanish government to reduce speed limit on motorways from 120 to 110kph. We also think that in the present circumstances the government should aggressively promote car sharing to reduce the impact of higher oil prices.

SOARING LEVELS OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY ACTIVE

Soaring levels of childhood obesity in Ireland mean one-in-five children can no longer fit into regular-sized Holy Communion outfits. Irish retailers say eight and nine-year-olds are now so fat they have had to stock hundreds of extra made-to-order oversized dresses and trousers.

Some eight-year-old girls have ballooned so much, that they have no choice but to don enormous dresses with a 48" chest-size for their First Communion. Read more.

IRISH RAIL

Following on from their decision to Irish Rail to allow bikes on DARTS and commuter and intercity trains, Irish Rail has again amazed us by repairing the bike shelter at Maynooth station. While it is not up to the standard of Amsterdam, we do accept that it is step on the right direction and applaud Irish Rail for their efforts.

HELMETS COMPULSORY IN NI?

Worse news on the use of helmets being made compulsory in NI. The bill in question now has passed the second stage in the NI Assembly. As if the north didn’t have enough troubles!

VIE AU VELO BLOG

On 13th of last month, Maynooth had the pleasure of a visit from Ricardo, Nayroka, Sara and l’homme de velo of the Vie au Velo blog. We hope they enjoyed their visit to our home town. Read more.

2030 TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY FOR DUBLIN REGION

The NTA has published the Draft Transportation Strategy fro the Dublin Region. MC warmly welcomes the proposal to lower speed limits and to restrict parking and deliveries. Such policies have been introduced by progressive countries since the 1970s. Irish politicians who oppose such policies as these and the introduction of congestion charges are still living in the 20th century. The public have until 11th April 2011 to submit comments. Read more.

Climate CHANGE—The TRANSPORT challenge

EPA lecture entitled Climate Change—The Transport Challenge by Julia King of Aston University on sustainable transport and the need to change transportation and how we live. See more.

SC WOMAN DELIBERATELY DRIVING INTO GROUP OF CHILDREN

Unbelievable but true report of woman deliberately driving into a group of walking children walking to school. Read more.

NEW IN LINKS

In Search of the Famous ’War on the Motorist – NEW – Guardian article by George Monbiot— ‘the only transport war being waged in this country is by motorists against pedestrians and cyclists.

How one New York bike lane could affect the future of cycling worldwide– NEW – another Guardian article this time by Matt Seaton — which describes the battle for one cycle lane and its wider implications.