According to the 2011 census, the modal split in the Dún Laoghaire - Rathdown County Council area for journeys to work, schools and colleges was 37.1 percent for private car as driver; 14.7 percent for private car as passenger; 13.8 percent for walking; 10.4 percent for bus, minibus or coach; 11.7 percent for rail; 5.1 percent for bike; 0.7 percent for motorbike and 4.5 percent for other modes.
Sustainable travel policy is set out in the County Development Plan 2010-2016 and Council Cycling Policy 2010 (see www.dlrcoco.ie). These documents reflect the core elements and objectives of national transport policy, i.e. Smarter Travel: a Sustainable Transport Future and the National Cycling Policy Framework (see: www.smartertravel.ie).
The vision in the County Development Plan is "to promote the integration of land use planning with the development of a high-quality, sustainable and integrated transport system in order to facilitate the county’s overall economic well-being and competitiveness and to ensure the movement of people and goods in a manner that improves ease of access for all, enhances quality of life, and helps secure the protection of the environment."
The vision of the Council Cycling Policy is “to cultivate a cycling culture, through the implementation of appropriate infrastructure and promotional measures that positively encourage all members of the community to cycle at all life stages and abilities as a mode of sustainable transport that delivers environmental, health and economic benefits to both the individual and the community”.
In the field of sustainable transportation, the Council can count a number of recent achievements made possible by working closely with elected politicians. Key transport projects were carried out in cooperation with various other stakeholders, including:
- the extension of a Light Rail Luas Line in 2010 with nine new tram stops in the county.
- development of the cycling policy in 2010 and the nomination of a cycling champion (elected politician) and cycling officer.
- construction of new pedestrian and cycle greenways around the county.
- an ongoing programme for the upgrade of pedestrian and cycle facilities around the county, including the provision of facilities at junction crossings for the mobility impaired and disabled.
- completion of a cycling network assessment for the whole county that prioritises a network of cycle route upgrades and new routes.
- roll out of bicycle parking and the introduction of a number of bicycle counters around the county.
- provision of cycling training for more than 1,500 children annually in primary schools.
- development of the Walking Bus Guidelines for schools in 2010.
- establishment of a mobility management plan network and the development of the Area Wide Mobility Management Plan in the Sandyford Business Park, the first in Ireland.
- roll out of electric charging points around the county, in conjunction with ESB.
- ensuring that sustainable travel is a key element in the development management process and local area planning.
- the launch of a feasibility study for the introduction of a public bike hire scheme for Dún Laoghaire town.
Summary finalised: August 2013
