Lack of cycle lanes to Laois schools 'discrimination'
Laois County Council urged to encourage safe cycling for children
Cycle lanes should be built to every Laois school to make it safer for students to travel by bike, a local councillor has suggested.
Laois Cllr Aisling Moran claims that children are cycling on roads that are not safe.
"We need cycle lanes. In Kileen 60% to 70% of children are cycling on roads that are not made for it. We should do one to two kilometres from a school," she said.
"It's discrimination that kids can't cycle to school safely. We have to start looking at rural areas," she said.
She raised the issue at the September meeting of Laois County Council.
Cllr Padraig Fleming, Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council agrees.
"I'm all for it, if there is space on the road," he said.
Paul McLoughlin, Acting Director of Services, said there is a scheme that schools can seek funding from.
"There is a Safe Routes to School scheme. I'd encourage every school to apply," he said.