The All-Party Group, alongside Cycling UK Northern Ireland, consulted cycling organisations, working with public bodies and experts to address the barriers to cycling. They focused heavily on road safety, which is frequently cited as the main reason why people avoid cycling.
 
Speaking about its publication, Peter McReynolds said: “Belfast is one of the most congested cities in Europe, and there has been a distinct lack of enthusiasm to introduce policies and measures that will encourage the shift we need to see towards sustainable transport. We must give people better choices in how they travel, which starts with the implementation of measures to address the longstanding barriers preventing the higher uptake of cycling.
 
“Despite the differences between this region and others across the UK, Ireland and beyond, the vast majority of citizens in Northern Ireland support a modal shift towards sustainable methods of transport. It is only right that we deliver the necessary infrastructure to ensure people have the option of cycling to key points of interest such as schools, town centres and public transport links.
 
"We have shared the inquiry with the Minister for Infrastructure and the Chief Constable of the PSNI, offering to discuss measures to shift the dial on cycling. Across Northern Ireland, our streets are becoming increasingly congested, and levels of active travel are alarmingly low. It has never been more important to create the conditions to encourage more active travel, and safer roads will be one of the keys to addressing this issue to ensure that cycling is a safe and viable method of transport for people of all ages.”
 
View the inquiry here: https://www.cyclinguk.org/active-travel-inquiry-2024