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Grainne Nic Dhomhnaill, Co. Dublin
I started cycling to work on and off 2 years ago. Traffic got the better of my patience and now I can't remember the last time I went to work in the car. What I DO remember is that since 20th August, when I went back to work after the holidays, I got wet twice! I enjoy my 20 km per day cycle and I am fit at 50.
Frank-Jan Kamenz, Co. Wicklow
When I started with my employer, I was going in to the office by public transport for over a year and walking a lot. Than we had to buy a car. My wife is handicaped and can't use the public transport system.
Of course I did not walk as much any more.
The result: I ended up in hopital. Now I am walking as much as I can and leave the car the car.
Car sharing is the best option, there is no need to drive yourself and if the driver stays sober, we help to keep road deaths as low as possible.T. Furlong, Co. Dublin
For the last two years, I have endured a long commute to work each day - one hour long bus journey, followed by a 20-minute walk to the office. When time waiting for the bus was factored in, my commute took an average of 90 minutes each way.
Unfortunately, cycling wasn´t an option for me, because of the length of the journey and the lack of secure bicycle parking facilities at the end of it. I considered getting a driving licence and buying a car, but was afraid it wouldn´t reduce my commute time and on the contrary that it might actually increase the time I spent travelling (and my stress levels).
So I looked at the situation from a different angle and I decided to make some changes. I began looking for another job closer to home, and a month ago I was offered a new position 25 minutes´ walk from where I live. I start next week. I know my quality of life will improve, and am looking forward to making use of the extra two hours each day I will gain.
It only took a change from the "normal" way of thinking to get a better life!Jonathan McGovern, Co. Dublin
Hi,
I am a masters student in UCD. I got my driving liscence last year. Since the start of the year, I have only driven in to college twice.
Driving in for ten everyday means having to spend ages in traffic. With cycle lanes all the way to college, it is definetely the way forward. I take about 45 minutes to cycle the 15 km. I rather spend 45 minutes in the fresh air, doing a bit of exercise, feeling good,n sitting, stuck in traffic, or trying to find spaces to park. I save on fuel, and I can carry on with my duties when i get home, without needing some fresh air. Going to college, I can see the long queues of cars...poor people.
On bad days, the bus is the easiest and most logical way to get in. The only times I took the car, I spent ages looking for parking. Cycling is for me the best, aand cheapest way of getting around, and is 100% eco friendly too.
With the population growing, more needs to be done to provide safe cycling wiht lanes, and to encourage people to adopt other means of transport, instead of the car, like this website, before it becomes too late, the peak oil is passed.
Thaks,
JonathaNKen McCullagh, Co. Dublin
I bought a bicycle at the start of the year to cycle to work, it's only 5 km each way, and the traffic in Leopardstown is absolutely mad trying to get out in the evenings. Since then I have only driven to work on 3 occasions - twice to bring the car to get its NCT, once to get across to the airport. I have enjoyed cycling so much that yesterday I cycled up over the sally gap, and am planning on doing both the Wicklow 200 and the Ring of Kerry next year! I can't imagine driving to work again!
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