2 Introduction

AECOM, as part of the NTA Cycle Design Office, have been requested by the NTA to develop a National Cycle Network Plan comprised of 22 networks for the 22 counties outside the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). The CycleConnects cycle network is intended to form a comprehensive cycle network for all cycle user types across Ireland and to develop on from the cycle network proposed for the GDA. As a significant portion of CycleConnects will be comprised of cycle links outside urban areas and sometimes in remote rural locations, a specific methodology was developed to allow consistent routing of these interurban links. Furthermore, many of these links will look to incorporate existing cycle routes such as greenways as part of forming a comprehensive cycle network for each county.

This network plan will not specify or prescribe any cycling infrastructure for the routes presented. The aim of this plan is to provide a route network to both rural and urban parts of Ireland outside the GDA.

A review has also been conducted of existing cycle design standards/policies for cycle network development in Ireland and abroad. This helped to inform a methodology that was then applied for selected specific interurban link routes along the CycleConnects cycle network. This review is available as background information on the NTA Consultation webpage.

Context for the plan

The Government, Department of Transport, NTA and other State Agencies have commitments to enable and promote higher levels of sustainable transport and are therefore tasked with increasing active travel mode shares – supporting new cyclists, those transitioning from other non-sustainable modes and improving conditions for existing cyclists.

Current policies are set out in various documents and describe the importance of sustainability in transport. The National Sustainable Mobility Policy allows for an opportunity to change travel choices by making it easier for people to avail of sustainable modes of transport. Sustainable Mobility is connecting people and places in a sustainable way by supporting safe, accessible, comfortable, and affordable journeys to and from home, work, education, shops, and leisure. It also involves supporting travelling by cleaner public transport and by encouraging a shift away from private cars to active travel and public transport. This Policy aims to support this modal shift between now and 2030, through infrastructure and service improvements, as well as demand management and behavioural change measures.

The NCPF’s overarching initiative, Smarter Travel, A Sustainable Transport Future is to be updated imminently, with enabling cycling expected to remain as a core focus. To ensure that investment is targeted efficiently and that a coherent network is delivered across the 22 counties outside the GDA, dialogue with each county council was undertaken. The strategic cycle network developed as part of this plan supports cycling as a mode and delivers a framework for appropriating funding towards strategically important regional schemes. Therefore, the development of CycleConnects is key in supporting the progression of cycling networks in Ireland.

The following is the report structure:

Report Structure

1. Route Methodology

2. Local Authority Engagement

3. Proposed County Cycle Network 4. Next Steps