A PILOT health project that was launched in Drimnagh has proved to be so successful it is to be rolled out across the city.
Last week, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Mícheál Mac Donncha, and Owen Keegan, Chief Executive of Dublin City Council, announced the expansion of the cycling and walking initiative ‘Hike It, Bike It, Like It’ at Civic Offices as part of European Mobility Week 2017.
The extension of this initiative city-wide is on foot of the success of a smarter travel pilot project in Drimnagh where Dublin City Council engaged with the local community and schools to promote active mobility in the area.
It was found that the project brought measurable positive change to how people travel in the Southside suburb.
As part of the initiative, the Hike It, Bike It, Like It brand was created by primary school children in the area.
“Drimnagh has set an example for other communities across the city,” the Lord mayor said.
“Hike It Bike It Like It demonstrates how much can be achieved when Dublin City Council and local communities collaborate and work together in partnership towards agreed goals.
“It also demonstrates the positive change that can be brought about when there is real commitment and investment of time, energy and creativity.
“Dublin City Council wants to build on the success of the Drimnagh project. We want to spread this approach across the city.”
Hike It, Bike It, Like It now forms an umbrella brand that will be used by the council to roll out this initiative to increase walking and cycling throughout the city.
Funding has been committed to support cycle training for fifth and sixth class primary school children citywide.
There is also commitment to further support An Taisce’s Green school travel flag by prioritising recommendations made by schools to enhance walking and cycle routes to school.
“Dublin City Council is committed to active travel and the health, social and environmental benefits that it brings to the citizens of the city and the city itself. Dublin City Council is also committed to working in partnership with communities across the city taking lead from the Drimnagh project. The City is committed to investing resources in this new way of engaging, communicating and promoting active travel” said Owen Keegan, Chief Executive.
During the summer of 2017 the Council worked with the Saint John Bosco Centre to create a video and art work for this launch. “The summercamp week gave the children the opportunity to look at the infrastructure for cycling and walking – what’s good about their area and what could be improved. It was a fun week and we hope to build on it to encourage more people in the community to cycle and walk to work, to school or just to help keep fit.” Brian Murphy, Saint John Bosco Youth Centre manager.
"Drimnagh shows what can be achieved when the Council works in collaboration with children and their communities. I have no doubt that we can achieve fantastic results elsewhere in the city, and I'm looking forward to a more child-friendly city where sustainable travel patterns are the norm." said Councillor Ciarán Cuffe Chair of the Transportation Strategic Policy Committee, Dublin City Council
“I am very proud to have worked closely with the Drimnagh community since 2010 on this smarter travel project and in particular on the development of the Hike It. Bike It. Like It. brand. Drimnagh should be proud of the brand and collaborative approach that was born in their local community and now which will extend city wide. Drimnagh has led the way for other communities to collaborate and partner with Dublin City Council to bring about positive change in their areas.” said Edel Kelly, Senior Executive Planner & Project Manager for Hike It. Bike It. Like It. Dublin.