THE number of people cycling in Ireland has more than doubled in the past 10 years, which must surely be a help in easing traffic congestion on the roads, not forgetting the health and environmental benefits.

Hundreds of thousands of euro have been invested in cycle lanes and in Cork another €2m has been invested in the Coca Cola bike scheme. But why do potholes still abound, asks Caroline Delaney.

Local authorities should make no apologies to motorists for improving cycling infrastructure in city centres, Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said yesterday.