Knowledge Study Visit: Cork City Council 5 February 2024 Cycling News For the Dutch Cycling Embassy’s first study visit of 2024 we were delighted to welcome a delegation from the Irish city of Cork, including four elected councillors. The visit aimed to better understand how cycling fits in with other modalities and to witness the Dutch approach to safety and parking around schools and universities. The three-day study visit commenced on January 30th, with a short train ride to Ede. After meeting and greeting at the station, the delegation made their way to De Fietser where a welcome and introduction was provided by DCE’s Margot Daris. This was followed by Marco Mulder and Matt Bearden from Arcadis who presented on cycling networks, infrastructure, retrofitting and school zones in the Netherlands. Following lunch, the delegation selected their bicycle for the afternoons cycling tour and the group led by Marco and Matt then proceeded on a route around the Ede and Bennekom. This included stops at local schools to see how children arrive either alone or with parents and a stop in Bennekom high-street to see how the shopping area has been transformed. After cycling back to Ede, the group got a train back to Utrecht to enjoy the city’s hospitalities. In slightly colder but still dry conditions, the next day started in Nijmegen; a hillier student city that offered a good direct comparison to Cork. Once bikes had been selected, and saddles adjusted, the group cycled a short distance to the day’s venue for morning presentations. Jeroen van Luyn from Goudappel presented on different parking solutions for cycles, with Sjors van Duren from Royal HaskoningDHV presenting on incremental changes to Nijmegen road network and on providing good cycling connections to the city’s University and schools. After some lunch the cycling tour in the afternoon was led by Sjors. The route included stops to see parking facilities in the city centre and on the university campus, as well as different approaches to intersections. The group also made their way over the River Waal via the Snelbinder bridge. Crossing the river allowed for an opportunity for the group to visit Lent, which amongst the new developments featured streets with a few familiar names, including John Lennonstraat, Rolling Stonesstraat and a Pink Floydstraat. After crossing the Waalbrug back to Nijmegen, the group proved that they had no problems with crossing a bridge when they came to it. The final day of the study visit concluded on a beautiful clear blue day in Utrecht. The DCE welcomed the delegation to our office where Ruxandra Aelenei from R.A. Planning presented on Utrecht’s city level plan and how they combining cycling with public transport. This was followed by Wout Schrier from Roelofs, who presented on the topic of Utrecht as a cycling city, focusing on decisions behind the street level design. A cycling tour led by both Ruxandra and Wout then offered a chance to enjoy the sunny day. The tour included a visit to Netherlands biggest cycle parking facility at Utrecht central station, as well as seeing newly converted cycling streets. With lunch fast approaching, the group returned to our office for a bite to eat and a recap to share personal takeaways and to close the study visit. It was a pleasure hosting the delegation for the three days, we look forward to seeing and hearing about how cycling in the city of Cork changes in the years ahead.