Prior to the local elections in 2019, we asked candidates to sign up and support a list of actions that if enacted will make Limerick a leading cycle-friendly city. Here is an overview of what some of our newly elected councillors had to say. Thanks to all the candidates that engaged with our campaign.
Participants & Limerick Metropolitan Council
The Limerick Metropolitan District Council (city) consists of 21 councillors. Of the 21 councillors elected in 2019, 13 participated in our pre-election survey. The breakdown of the city council is shown below along with the number of participants from each party.
The Results
Why this matters.
Since 2002, the modal share of work related trips made by bike in Limerick city has remained around 2.5% while trips made by car has remained around 65%. In 2009, the Government launched a plan to reduce the modal share of trips by car from the national average of 65% down to 45% and to increase the modal share of trips by bike to 10% – by 2020. It is now 2019 and as we can see, absolutely no progress has be made on either. These goals are not pie-in-the-sky numbers. In May 2019, the Government declared a climate emergency after an Oireachtas report on Climate Action was accepted by both the Government and Opposition parties without a vote. Transport accounts for around 20% of our carbon emissions. In 2009, Ireland was given a target to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases to 20% below what they were in 2005 by 2020. Ireland has consistently lagged behind in reaching these goals and may only reduce its emissions by less than 1 per cent come 2020 after which, climate and energy experts estimate Ireland will face fines from Europe of up to €600 million a year until it meets the targets.
If you are a councillor and would like to participate in the survey now via email, please send us an email at [email protected]
