RTE Seminar

The producer of RTE’s Nationwide programme, Tom Kelly, recently contacted the Campaign seeking its support for a suggestion he wishes to put to his employers. This is that those who cycle to work and use their bikes at work should receive some financial compensation for the amount of money they are saving their employer. Those who drive to work have parking provided - how much is a year’s parking space in Dublin 4 worth? - and if they drive into town for, say, and interview they get their mileage and their parking paid for. Those who choose to use a bike instead get doodly-squat.

Tom aims to challenge this. If he is successful, imagine the knock-on effect this might have if a large and high-profile employer such as RTE were to introduce such an incentive for people to cycle to work. Employers across the city might be encouraged to make similar arrangements for non-driving employees, which in turn will reduce the number of cars on the road, make cycling easier and safer, reduce pollution, encourage a fitter workforce....

He has arranged to hold a seminar in RTE on Thursday, 25th of March at 7.30 p.m. He will have a panel of interested and relevant people on the podium, a panel which will include Eamon Ryan, Spokesperson for the DCC. Tom would like as many members of the Campaign as possible to be there, to add support and offer contributions.

The Dublin Cycling Campaign enthusiastically supports this attempt to encourage employers to recognise the contribution cycling workers make by not requiring parking space, not "getting stuck in traffic" and being late for work, and taking far fewer days off sick. And who knows, there might even be a programme about cycling in Dublin in the pipeline. (RV)

For further information, contact Eamon Ryan or Rachel Vaughan at the Campaign’s number, 7000312, and leave a message.