October was International Walk to School Month, incorporating the Road Safety Authority's Road Safety Week running from the 5th to the 11th October. The advent of darker evenings highlights the need to stay safe and to stay seen while out walking , jogging and cycling. Limerick Smarter Travel would encourage everyone to wear a hi-vis item of clothing and to make sure their bike is equipped with lights and a bell. Limerick Smarter Travel have a limited number of hi-vis, lights and bells in stock, please call into our office at the Granary Michael St if you require these items.
Limerick Smarter Travel Schools have been busy promoting Sustainable Travel with the majority continuing to promote their WOW action days and some schools undertaking bicycle training.
St Clements Secondary School organised two groups to audit routes in and around their school, one group focused on carrying out a walkability audit and the other a cycling audit. The groups were further broken down into teams of 3/4 with each team undertaking a different task. Groups had to pinpoint hazards, count traffic , measure footpath width at different stages, take photographs and measure distances. The activities carried out by the groups will build towards their final year project report.
Four members of the LST team completed Sprocket Rocket Coaching Training this month. Sprocket Rocket is the name given to Cycling Ireland's foundation Cycling Skills Programme which focuses on delivery to youth aged 7 to 11 years old. Sprocket Rocket Training teaches basic skills required to ride a bike such as balance, peddling , cornering and braking. Further information on Sprocket Rocket can be found at http://www.cyclingireland.ie/page/programmes/sprocket-rocket
Schools were invited to apply to receive additional bike parking of up to 4 bike hoops in their schools. Schools had to go through an application process justifying their need for further bike parking and documenting site location for the new bike parking. Six schools pending a site visit have successfully applied for the additional bike parking and we will keep you up to date on the installation progress. A potential second call for applications for Bike Parking could take place in the new year, so keep an eye out for this if your application was unsuccessful this time.
