Mayor helps promote cycling in South Dublin

SOUTH Dublin County Council’s Mayor Peter Kavanagh was presented with his official bicycle by Dublin Cycling Campaign at a special handover ceremony.

The mayor received his bicycle by the outgoing Mayor, Ed O’Brien at the Clondalkin Civic Offices on Wednesday, August 18.

The bicycle was funded by Dublin Cycling Campaign and its supporters, and is a CityGo C3 – a Dutch-style city bike which was provided by the Dutch Bike Shop in Lucan.

The bike boasts front and rear lights which are integrated in the frame and are operated by dynamo, so there is no need for batteries.

The official bicycle provides the mayor with a sustainable mode of transport that is efficient, healthy and emissions-free, as local authorities face up to the climate crisis and lead by example in efforts to tackle climate change.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Mayor Peter Kavanagh said he was “delighted” to accept the bicycle and intends to make use of it.

“I look forward to meeting the people of Clondalkin and other places in the County as I put it to good use. It will certainly be handy on my regular trips around the local area.

“I also intend inviting all councillors to take the mayor’s bicycle out into their communities for charity events and to promote cycling in the County.”

Mayor Kavanagh will get an early opportunity to enjoy his new set of wheels during Bike Week which runs from September 12-18 and celebrates and promotes cycling, which has been a lifeline for many during the last eighteen months and during the lockdown stages of the pandemic.

Kevin Baker, Chairperson of Dublin Cycling Campaign, said that cycling has become an important mode of transport for people in recent months.

He said: “We’re delighted to present the Mayor with his bicycle. Cycling has become so important for so many people during this pandemic and we appreciate the leadership of councillors like Peter Kavanagh who use a bicycle as their habitual mode of transport, and the work being done by South Dublin County Council and its Cycle South Dublin Programme to make cycling safer and more attractive for people of all ages and abilities.”