WORKERS at Shannon companies took to their bicycles last week to celebrate World Bicycle Day, marking Shannon’s inaugural participation in this celebration of the humble two-wheeler.
This unique lunchtime event was organised on Wednesday, June 5 by Shannon Chamber in conjunction with Shannon Municipal District and Fine Grain Property with the support of Shannon Town Centre, HSE, CoMotion, Clare Sports Partnership and The Bike Doc, Ballycasey.
CoMotion operate the shared bicycle scheme in Shannon, and most of those taking part availed of an offer to use their electric bikes free of charge. The cyclists wove their way from Shannon Free Zone, across the pedestrian overpass on the N19, onto Drumgeely Road and into Shannon Town Centre. Shannon Municipal District staff took up marshal positions along the route to ensure cyclist safety.
The cyclists stopped off at the Town Centre for a light lunch, free health checks provided by HSE staff, bike repair advice from Ballycasey-based The Bike Doc, and ice cream cones compliments of Fine Grain Property.
Councillor Donna McGettigan (SF), Cathaoirleach of Shannon Municipal District, welcomed the cyclists, while they were also addressed by Mick Guinee, chairman and chief executive of Ei Electronics, a keen cyclist who encouraged people to use their bikes to get around Shannon.
Mick continued his journey on bike to a meeting at Shannon Aviation Museum showing that meetings in Shannon can be reached by using the bikes.
Chamber CEO Helen Downes was delighted with the day saying that this is just the beginning of the their push to champion the use of bikes by businesses.
“CoMotion has a fleet of 50 electric bikes located throughout Shannon. We would love to see more people using these, particularly Shannon’s workforce during their lunch breaks or to travel to any meetings they may have in Shannon. We are already planning for a larger World Bicycle Day in 2025,” she said.
Alan Farrell, Director of Services, Clare County Council, said: “Shannon Municipal District was delighted to assist with this exciting initiative which has created further synergies between the industrial zone and Shannon town. The Council is working to respond to the needs and expectations of the area, and this involves creating social connections between people whilst contributing to a greener and healthier society. There was a large number of people involved in the organisation of the lunchtime cycle event and I would like to thank our proactive partners who were instrumental in spearheading it, particularly Colin MacDonald, Fine Grain Property and Helen Downes, Shannon Chamber.”
Colin MacDonald, CEO of Fine Grain Property, which owns Westpark Innovation Campus added: “Westpark is very grateful to Shannon Chamber of Commerce and Clare County Council for working with us to organise such a fun day, highlighting the sustainable two-wheeled connectivity of Shannon Town and the Business Zone. It’s a healthy, convenient and sustainable seven-minute cycle from Westpark to Shannon Town Centre, whether you’re going to work, popping into town for lunch, or just going for a spin.”
Owen Ryan has been a journalist with the Clare Champion since 2007, having previously worked with a number of other publications in Limerick, Cork and Galway. His first book will be published in December 2024.