Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan expressed disappointment that satisfaction on current cycling provision across the North has dropped over the past three years. 

The North Antrim MLA was speaking following the publication of a report on attitudes to walking, cycling, and public transport during 2019/2020. 

The North Antrim MLA said:  

“Only half of respondents to the survey were satisfied with the current situation for cycling in their area, a 5% decrease from the previous year. 

“Meanwhile over 70% of people said they were ‘not satisfied’ with cycling in their area because of the lack of cycle lanes. 

“This information is nothing new, but it demonstrates once again that the barriers to cycling, such as safety concerns, won’t go away until we have proper, safe infrastructure in place which will encourage more people to cycle. 

“We obviously need increased investment in cycling infrastructure and measures to encourage more people to get on their bikes.

“But if we are going to take a bigger leap forward, we need to make cycling and walking infrastructure central to all road project work carried out by the Department for Infrastructure. 

“Cycling has so many benefits such as improving physical and mental health, as well as tackling air pollution and climate change. 

“It’s vital we do much more to make people feel safe and encourage them to get on their bikes.”