Future of rural pedal power is set to be debated during Laois Bike Week

A national meeting on cycling with an emphasis on rural Ireland is of the centerpiece events of Laois Bike Week 2023.

Pedal Vintage, the Durrow Community Bike Hire Scheme, is hosting the Rural Cycle Symposium in partnership with Laois County Council.

The event, which is entitled The Future of Cycling in Rural Ireland, takes place at Castle Durrow Country House Hotel, Co. Laois Monday, May 15 at 2pm.

The conference features a range of speakers including a video address by avid cyclists and the Minister for Transport, Environment, Climate & Communications, Eamon Ryan.

There'll be a number of speakers from Laois County Council led of by Director of Services, Simon Walton. The Council's Active Travel Office will give a talk on the Cycling Strategy for Laois.

A talk on the community/family Bike Hub Feasibility Study Report will be delivered by Mark Murphy MM Consult Cork and Edmond Kenny, Senior Engineer, Laois County Council.

The Cycling Tourism Potential in Laois is the topic for a talk by Regina Dunne Laois Tourism Officer while the vision of the Portarlington Cycling Campaign will be outlined by John Holland.

Cycling Without Age Ireland is the name of a talk by Clara Clark while Paul Norton of Cycling Ireland will give a talk on Cycling Infrastructure and Facilities Development.

Joan Swift of Cyclist.ie / Rural Cyclist Collective will outline a Vision for Cycling in Rural Ireland while Jason Goodison of Cycle Ireland will deliver a talk on Community Bike Rides and promoting social leisure cycling to adults across Ireland.

The speakers will be welcomed to Durrow by Matt Doyle, Chairman of Pedal Vintage. The MC for the day is Sean Conroy.
Bike Week is an annual celebration and promotion of all that’s great about bikes and cycling.

Laois Rose of Tralee contestant, Sinead Dowd will return to her adopted parish of Durrow, cut the ribbon on the Symposium. A keen cyclist and healthy outdoors advocate; Sinead recounts cycling every day, during her childhood years growing up in New York.

Domiciled, for several years now, in the townland of Cullohill, Sinead looks forward to getting back on her bike with Pedal Vintage-Durrow to sample the many tranquil and quiet rural roads around this picturesque South Laois locality.

For registrations and more details email durrow.doings@gmail.com or call Hugh at 086 869 4691

This year, Bike Week will kick off on Saturday, May 14 and run until Sunday, May 22.

During Bike Week, new and lapsed cyclists will be encouraged to get on the bike and make cycling part of their lifestyle. People across the country will be able to join in events in their counties and consider cycling as a convenient way to travel on the commute, for shopping trips and leisure.

Sandbags permanently on standby at busy Laois pub

Bike Week Laois is co-ordinated by Laois County Council’s Sport & Leisure Office Contact sports@laoiscoco.ie or phone 057 8664058

There is lots more information on bike week events on leaflets published locally and on Laois County Council's website HERE.