First-ever survey of walking, wheeling and cycling in Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area published

Walking and cycling take 32,000 cars off Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area roads every day, according to the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Walking and Cycling Index.

The National Transport Authority has published the findings of the first-ever survey of walking, wheeling and cycling in Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area, which reveals that 52% of residents walk or wheel (meaning the use of a wheelchair or mobility scooter) at least five times a week, while 15% of residents cycle at least once a week.

The Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Walking and Cycling Index is based on an independent demographically representative survey of more than 1,100 residents from across the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area, aged 16 and above, not just those who walk, wheel or cycle.

The Metropolitan Area is centred on Limerick City and covers the area from Cloonlara to Patrickswell and west to Shannon.

It reveals that 61% of residents are in favour of additional investment in cycling infrastructure and 70% in favour of additional investment in walking and wheeling infrastructure. This comes amid a growing demand for active travel with 49% expressing their desire to walk, wheel more in the future, and 34% expressing a desire to cycle more.

Key findings from the 2023 Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Walking and Cycling Index include: 

52% of adult residents walk 5 or more days a week, 55% use car 5 or more days a week and 15% of adults cycle at least once a week.

76% of residents support building cycle tracks physically separated from traffic and pedestrians even where that means less room for other traffic.

Every day those who walk and cycle takes nearly 32,000 cars off the road in the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area. If all of these cars were in a traffic jam it would tail back 151 kilometres equivalent to the distance from Limerick City to Waterford City.

Residents walking, wheeling and cycling create an annual economic benefit for individuals and the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area of €145.4 million

Those walking, wheeling and cycling instead of driving, save greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 69,300 flights from Shannon Airport to London Heathrow Airport.

When asked what would help them walk or wheel more, Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area residents want better footpath surfaces including dropped kerbs at crossing points, more parks and green spaces close to home, and nicer places along streets to stop and rest.

When asked what would help them cycle more, residents want infrastructural improvements such as traffic-free paths through parks or greenways, signed cycle routes along quieter streets, and cycle tracks along roads physically separated from traffic and pedestrians.

There is evidence too that residents support the development of more protected cycle infrastructure within the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area, with 76% of residents supporting building more cycle tracks physically separated from traffic and pedestrians, even where that means less room for other traffic.

The report also found that walking, wheeling and cycling creates an annual economic benefit for individuals and the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area of €145.4m.

This includes €1.40 of a net economic benefit for each km cycled instead of driven and €0.94 benefit of each km walked instead of driven. These costs were determined through an analysis of travel time, vehicle operating costs, health benefits, air quality and taxation.

Speaking on the Walking and Cycling Index, Cllr Donna McGettigan, Cathaoirleach, Shannon Municipal District, said: “I am pleased to welcome the first Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Walking and Cycling Index."

"This report provides a useful insight into the behaviours and opinions of Shannon Area Residents towards walking, wheeling, and cycling. It gives us a great sense of what type of investment and infrastructure people want, to help make the area a vibrant, attractive, and sustainable part of the Metropolitan area.”