.
KERRY Cycling Campaign are calling on Kerry County Council and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to establish cycle routes and associated signage across the county.
The Campaign says that with most tourism being domestic or local in the near term, it is important to improve the cycle tourism offering in County Kerry.
Anluan Dunne.
Anluan Dunne of Kerry Cycling Campaign said: “the Ring Of Kerry Cycle has resulted in Kerry becoming known as a cycling destination. However, we fail to truly utilise this reputation for year round cycle tourism This could be really valuable – especially in less travelled areas like North and Mid Kerry.”
Continued below…
.
Anluan Dunne continued: “Domestic cycling holidays are another way of attracting people to the county. Establishing cycling routes could be a real boost to rural communities. We want to see Kerry County Council pursue this immediately. More bike parking, signage and maps is what we need.”
Coupled with the establishment of cycle routes the Kerry Cycling Campaign are also requesting Kerry County Council to deploy significantly more “safe passing” signage to remind motorists of the need to give people on bikes a wide berth when overtaking.
Anluan Dunne concluded: “it is important to make cycling easy and safe. We need to see far greater use of Safe Passing signage across the county to remind motorists to pass people on bikes at a safe distance”.
On Thursday last, Minister Ross announced significant funding for ‘Cycling Safe Passing’ Signs in County Clare. This is additional funding on top of the existing allocation of €446,500 to 19 counties for the roll out of “safe passing” signs this year.
The EuroVelo 1 route stretches from Norway to Portugal via Ireland and targets long distance cyclists but also provides routes for users of all abilities as the criteria for inclusion specify lower-trafficked roads as well as Greenways.
In Kerry, the route begins in north Kerry and continues to Listowel, Tralee, Dingle, Waterville and Kenmare before heading into Cork.
The funding allocated by Minister Ross for County Clare is €182,000 and is aimed at supporting the implementation by Clare County Council of a EuroVelo 1 route in the County. It will include signage, bicycle parking, bike repair stands and information boards.
