The new Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Emer Costello launched Dublin City Council’s new BIKE START cycling training programme at the Mansion House, Dawson Street, Dublin 2 on Wednesday 15th July 2009 at 11am.

Dublin City Council is the first Local Authority in Ireland to introduce BIKE START an integrated cycling training programme, which offers the highest level of training in Europe.

The BIKE START programme comprises four progressive levels of cycling training that will provide safety awareness and practical cycling skills for primary school children. The programme will be rolled out by Dublin City Council’s Safe Cycling Team to all senior primary schools starting from September 2009.

“The BIKE START programme is, I believe, a vital part of children’s education and I am delighted that it will be introduced to primary schools in September. This programme will encourage both students and adults alike to foster positive and responsible attitudes towards their own personal safety and that of other road users while cycling,” said the Lord Mayor.

Pictured left to right: Michael Byrne, Road Safety Development Officer; The Lord Mayor Emer Costello; Councillor Andrew Montague; Michael Philips, City Engineer.