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Dublin listens to schoolchildren’s proposals to improve bicycle infrastructure
Dublin asked schoolchildren aged 10 to 15 to present ideas to remove obstacles to cycling on their routes to school. The kids presented their ideas to Lord Mayor of Dublin Caroline Conroy in October as part of the Bicycle Heroes project aimed at boosting cycling uptake in the city.
“I’m delighted to be here today to listen to the young people who are presenting their ideas to increase uptake of cycling in Dublin City,” Conroy noted and added “I cycle myself and I welcome these ideas to make cycling safer and more enjoyable in our city and communities.”
She stressed that Dublin authorities worked with children to help them “to reimagine their city space to meet their needs,” which empowers the children. Their ideas will influence planners, engineers and politicians to adapt their plans to children’s transport needs, Conroy concluded.
The Bicycle Heroes project is part of EU Institute of Innovation and Technology’s initiative for supporting urban mobility. The Dutch BYCS NGO for promotion of urban biking piloted the programme in the Netherlands over the last five years.
Martha Mullin, Health Promotion Officer at the Trinity College, noted that children presented innovative and clever ideas for travelling. “We’re delighted to see children question how public space in Dublin can be allocated to support health, biodiversity and the climate,” she stressed.
Niamh Ni Cholmain, Biodiversity Officer for Community Engagement at Dublin City Council, concluded that the project helped the council to get advice from children about transport.
(Photo credit: Image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians / Pixabay)
