Laois County Council to pilot a Bike Library and appoint a Cycling Officer
The proposals are contained in the Laois Climate Action Plan 2024 - 2029
Laois is to take to two wheels in earnest with plans for a new Cycling Officer, a Bike Library and the rollout of a Bike Share schemes in Portarlington, Mountmellick and Portlaoise.
The initiatives are a small fraction of the 114 actions Laois County Council intends to pursue as part of its Climate Action Plan 2024 - 2029.
The plan focuses on measures to reduce emissions and waste and to improve infrastructure for cycling, walking and electric vehicles in a bid to tackle emissions while improving the natural environment and the health of people living in Laois.
As part of the plans, the council intends to roll out a Bike Share scheme in the larger urban areas with a population of 5,000 or more. This would mean Portlaoise, Portarlington and Mountmellick.
There are also plans to pilot signage which would indicate walking and cycling time between distances.
“Laois County Council will erect signage to support active travel; this will include “distance” and “time to actively travel to” signage as pilot in Portlaoise by 2024. If successful, Laois County Council will roll out around the county in towns over 5,000 population,” the report states.
Laois County Council also intends to appoint a Cycling Officer to lead on promoting active travel.
Another of the actions in the plan would see “Laois County Council will support piloting a Bike Library.”
Other measures include a pledge that “Laois County Council will continue to make E bikes available for their staff to attend meetings.”
The council also intends to increase the availability of bike parking in urban centres countywide.
The council says it will encourage and support the establishment of Cycle Buses to enhance and increase sustainable and active commuting options.