Cycling 'to boom across west as commuting habits change'

Cycling looks set to boom in Connaught as commuting habits change in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

New nationally representative research has found that 56% of Connaught workers are open to rethinking how they travel to work, with a combination of improved road infrastructure and concerns over using public transport expected to result in more Irish people than ever turning to a bike for their commute to work.

This nationally representative research, commissioned by One4all and undertaken by Coyne Research, was conducted to gauge public sentiment towards commuting following the Covid-19 pandemic, with the results confirming that changes in commuting habits are being considered by a large portion of the Irish population as a result of the virus.

Following an increase in the popularity of cycling as a leisure activity during the recent lockdown, many Connaught workers are looking towards bicycles to help them get fit, go green and save money, with 51% willing to try cycling to work over the coming weeks and months.

As a result of this increased positive sentiment towards cycling, the research found that nearly half of Connaught workers (42%) would sign up to a workplace Cycle to Work scheme if it was offered by their employer.

This is a major jump from 2019, when similar research by One4all found that only 14% claimed to already avail of the scheme, with only an additional 13% saying that they would consider signing up.

Under the government's Cycle to Work scheme, bicycles and safety equipment up to the value of €1,000 can be bought free of any Tax, PRSI or USC, a saving of up to 52%. One4all Bikes4work helps businesses take advantage of this hovernment initiative for tax-free bikes in the easiest way possible.

For more information about Bikes4work please see below or visit: http://www.bikes4work.ie/