Walking and cycling take nearly 29,000 cars off the road in Galway City and County every day according to a first of its kind survey.
The NTA has published its first ever Walking and Cycling Index which includes the Galway Metropolitan Area this week.
This survey, the largest of its kind in Ireland, that 6 in 10 (60%) of Galway residents walk or wheel (meaning the use of a wheelchair or mobility scooter) at least five times a week, while 1 in 5 (20%) residents cycle at least once a week.
It also found that 77% of residents are in favour of expanded cycling infrastructure, and 72% believe more investment is needed in infrastructure for walking and wheeling.
This comes amid a growing demand for active travel with 53% expressing their desire to walk and wheel more in the future, and 42% expressing a desire to cycle more.
Cllr. Liam Carroll, Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council said that this survey provides a “useful and demographically representative insight” into the behaviours of people in towns and villages across the county.
“We in Galway County Council, supported by the National Transport Authority, have started work on some exciting new projects across the area. For example, the design and delivery of a coastal cycleway which will directly link Oranmore Village to the Train Station.”
“Another project is the introduction of a Safe Routes to School scheme in the Oranmore Village schools’ area which will facilitate safer walking and cycling for hundreds of students.”
“We look forward to seeing how the Index supports and informs our upcoming and future projects,” Cllr Carroll said.
The report also outlined significant health benefits from more active travel, with 236 long-term serious health conditions prevented annually.
The cost savings from this are valued at approximately €3.55 million each year, equivalent to the cost of over 65,100 GP appointments.
It found that 41% of residents with a disability walk or wheel at least five days a week in Galway, compared to 62% of residents without a disability, while 11% of residents with a disability cycle at least once a week compared to 21% without.
In addition, while 64% of women and 57% of men walk or wheel at least five days a week, there is a larger gender gap when it comes to cycling 25% of men cycle at least once a week, compared with 15% of women.
Residents of Galway said that traffic-free paths through parks or greenways, signed cycle routes along quieter streets, and cycle tracks along roads physically separated from traffic and pedestrians would held encourage these modes of travel.
Anne Graham, CEO of the NTA said, “It’s clear from the latest Index that more people in Galway want to cycle and walk each day.”
“By encouraging people to make active travel a part of their daily journey, we can all play our part in creating a more sustainable future.”
“The NTA will continue to accelerate our efforts to roll out walking and cycling infrastructure in Galway and other cities across Ireland.”
