AQW 7663/11-15

Mr Conall McDevitt
Social Democratic and Labour Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 03/02/2012
Answered On Date: 09/02/2012
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Regional Development whether he is aware of any countries in Europe with a lower percentage of trips made by bicycle than Northern Ireland.

Answer:

My Department established an Active Travel Forum during March 2010 with the principal aim of drawing up a high level strategy for active travel, setting out the framework to help people choose more sustainable and active transport modes, including walking and cycling for shorter everyday journeys and linked to public transport for longer trips.

As part of this strategy officials from my Department carried out research on main mode of transport in Europe and USA. This indicated that there are two European countries with a lower percentage of trips made by bicycle than Northern Ireland. These are Malta (0%) and Cyprus (0.3%). Further details can be found by visiting:

http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/flash/fl_312_en.pdf