Go Dutch to give pedal power a push

GETTING us all back on our bikes is a challenge Transport Minister Noel Dempsey has set himself.

But, he has a lot of work to do. The fact is that, in transport and safety terms, the faithful bike is way down the priority list, as all the focus has been on facilitating cars and other vehicles.

Just think about it. The number of cars on Irish roads doubled to two million in 20 years, an expansion fuelled by the economic boom. Billions of euro have been invested in roads and motorways — all to accommodate the internal combustion engine.