Donal Hickey: It’s often faster to get through traffic-clogged towns by bike — or shank’s mare

If cycle lanes are provided, more people will use them as evidenced in Cork city, which has seen a steady increase in year-round cyclists

More than 1,000km of new and improved cycling facilities are due to be completed by 2025. The plans include cycleways running through the countryside but, it might be argued, not nearly enough cycle lanes are being provided within towns and cities. Picture: a traffic jam at Albert Quay with a clear east-bound cycle lane in Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins

In the midst of all the science, and studies relating to climate change, the simple, practical steps are sometimes overlooked.

A letter from Mary Shanahan, of Tralee, County Kerry, published in this newspaper on November 4 last, was full of common sense and contained thoughts well worth considering as a new year looms.