Dr Catherine Conlon: Bikes essential to arrest cycle of climate failure

Cork and other cities in Ireland would do well to look at the example of Amsterdam in allowing cyclists to own the roads and embrace the challenge of combatting climate change and moving transport away from a reliance on fossil fuels, writes Dr Catherine Conlon

In Amsterdam and other Dutch cities, cyclists rule the roost, taking priority over all other forms of transport, from pedestrians to motorbikes, cars, and buses. Picture: PA Photo/iStock

Ireland’s efforts at cutting greenhouse gas emissions are nowhere near target with the latest data expected to show an annual increase in emissions of 6%. This figure is the provisional calculation for 2021 when the target was a 4.8% reduction.

Serious doubt now hangs over the Government’s ability to cut emissions by 51% by 2030, which is now a legally binding objective enshrined in the Climate Act.