Cyclists to recall dead riders on car-free day

A group of city cyclists will mark world car-free day today by paying tribute to riders killed on the roads.

A group of city cyclists will mark world car-free day today by paying tribute to riders killed on the roads.

Car Free Day has been cancelled because we do not have a public transport alternative to the car, that is a profound indictment of this Government's woeful approach to transport planning
Ciarán Cuffe, Green Party

The Big Beautiful Bikeride will begin at 5.30pm at Wolfe Tone Park, next to Jervis Street shopping centre. Using bike lanes to cross the city, cyclists will lay flowers and candles in three locations where riders have been killed.

They are urging all drivers in Dublin to enjoy a traffic-free day.

Global Car-free day is held across four continents in a bid to make the streets vehicle free.

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Its aim is to raise awareness of the health and environmental benefits of sustainable living and sustainable transport by leaving the car behind.

Throughout the week Dublin City Council has urged all residents to get to and from work and school through car pooling, cycling and walking.

Dublin Bus will mark the event by offering flat fares on all its scheduled services between 11am and 4pm on Saturday.

Regardless of passengers' route, destination or length of their journey, fares will be 60p for adults and 40p for children.

Green Party Environment spokesman, Ciarán Cuffe, called the Government's decision not to take part in Car Free Day "outrageous".

"Car Free Day has been cancelled because we do not have a public transport alternative to the car, that is a profound indictment of this Government's woeful approach to transport planning," he said.

"College Green should be one of Europe's great civic plazas. Instead we have four lanes choked with traffic. Air pollution is rising and you can't hear yourself speak on most city streets due to traffic noise," he added.