CYCLE LANES ARE most important factor affecting the number of people who take to their bikes. A US study suggests that cities might actually be able to influence how many cyclists are on the road. The study suggests — and this shouldn’t come as a huge surprise — to build more cycle lanes and more people will cycle.

The Department of Transport is spending €4 million to create cycle lanes on national roads in rural areas but cycling lobby group cyclist.ie have stated that there is poor maintenance of many existing facilities along roads in urban areas.

Minneapolis is said to be one of the best cycle cities in the US with over 84 miles of dedicated bike paths and 44 miles of designated bike lanes on streets. There are plans to have another 40 miles of designated bike lanes and bicycle-carrying capability is available on every city bus and train has . Every office building in Minneapolis is required by law to provide bicycle storage, and the city funds half the price of every bike rack any business installs.

Last year Dublin was ranked within the top 10 cycling cities in the world out of a Danish study looking 80 major cities around the world.

There are number of different cycle lanes in operation around the world – Copenhagen style, exclusive bike and parking lane, exclusive bike lane,shared bike/parking lane,kerbside lane that are advisory only and off road bike paths.

What is notable is how Irish cycle lanes are relatively small and limited – Canada and Copenhagen seem to have the right idea. Will our cycle lanes look like this?