Madam, - Frank McCann (August 4th) writes that Irish Rail's new rolling stock will have space for only two bicycles per train - and that on main lines only. I have just returned from a cycling trip in Tuscany. Italian Rail provides specially designed cycle carriages which can carry up to a dozen bicycles, on almost all trains. The charge for this service is €3.50 per bike per 24 hours.
Can the Ministers for Transport and Tourism please ensure that Irish Rail directs some of its €800 million investment to bicycle facilities? Otherwise our rolling stock will be the laughing stock of European rail networks. - Yours, etc,
CATHERINE BYRNE, Hettyfield Park, Cork.