PICTURES: Students and the Dundalk community at Bike Week 2025!

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The children at St Louis Secondary School in Dundalk celebrated Bike Week 2025! Accompanied by Community Gardaí Rachel Copperthwaite and Darragh Prior, pupils from St Louis Secondary School, along with volunteers from local cycling clubs, took part in a group bike ride that began at the school’s entrance on Bellew’s Bridge Road.

They were joined by students from two local primary schools - Scoil Náisiúnta Eoin Baiste and Scoil Phádraig Naofa, Kilcurry - who participated in the event by walking on foot.

Michelle Dolan, Principal of St Louis Secondary School, said: “The Safe Routes to School Programme has made a huge difference to our school, particularly at the entrance on Bellew’s Bridge Road.
“In the past, we have, unfortunately, had incidents with unsafe driving, but people know when they are approaching a school now, and it is slowing drivers down, making the crossings much safer, and making the students more aware that they can walk or cycle to school.

“Dundalk is a really flat town, it’s very accessible, and the more infrastructure we have to make it safe, the more chance we have of getting girls - and boys - to cycle and walk to school.”

Cllr Kevin Callan, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, said: "It’s great to see students from around the county out on their bikes, especially during Bike Week. The Safe Routes to School Programme not only ensures safer passage for our students but also encourages a culture of walking and cycling and the work that has been carried out at St Louis Secondary School in Dundalk, and Scoil Aonghusa in Drogheda, is a positive step forward for the county in terms of promoting safety and sustainability."