[Article] Council offers staff brollies and bikes in bid to cut car journeys

Victor

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0701/1214857997592.html

Council offers staff brollies and bikes in bid to cut car journeys

STAFF AT one of the State’s largest local authorities are being offered umbrellas and bicycles as part of a new initiative aimed at reducing carbon emissions.

The scheme, which was launched yesterday by Limerick County Council, is aimed at cutting the number of car journeys being made between the council’s two main buildings which are located in the congested Dooradoyle district of Limerick city.

At present a journey by car from County Hall to Lissanalta House in Dooradoyle can take up to 15 minutes.

However, the same journey only takes a couple of minutes by bicycle or less than five minutes on foot, according to Josephine Cotter, director of services with Limerick County Council.

“Like many people in Limerick, we have become too reliant on our cars.

“This initiative, however, aims to break the habit of using our cars all the time, especially for short journeys,” said Ms Cotter.

High visibility jackets and safety helmets are also being provided to staff wishing to peddle their way between Lissanalta House and Limerick County Hall.

Welcoming the initiative, Cllr Kevin Sheahan, outgoing cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, said he fully supported any scheme that actively promotes ways of reducing carbon emissions.

“Limerick County Council plays a central role in changing the mindset of people in Co Limerick regarding energy use,” said Mr Sheahan.

“Therefore, it is appropriate that the council is itself leading by example by encouraging staff to embrace more environmentally-friendly modes of transport,” he added.

Bee

Victor wrote: »

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0701/1214857997592.html

What a total waste of tax payers money.

Can we get the council officials sacked for abusing tax payers money in this way?

Sack them!

I would suggest (obviously using two of my brain cells) that if any council official uses car park A then they be barred from using car park b and vice versa. Result is they would be unable to drive across.

No need for some twat to abuse tax payers money by buying useless bicycles.

Victor

Bee wrote: »

No need for some twat to abuse tax payers money by buying useless bicycles.

I sense much anger in this one...

HonalD

Bee wrote: »

What a total waste of tax payers money.

Can we get the council officials sacked for abusing tax payers money in this way?

Sack them!

I would suggest (obviously using two of my brain cells) that if any council official uses car park A then they be barred from using car park b and vice versa. Result is they would be unable to drive across.

No need for some twat to abuse tax payers money by buying useless bicycles.

Do we now live in a dictatorship? I know some things would be better but come on - :eek:

Stark

I don't see how not giving someone car park privileges = living in a dictatorship. Bee is right. This is a pointless waste of taxpayer money aimed at generating some "look at us, we're totally hip" publicity. And I wonder who was footing the fuel bill for those ridiculous journeys, hmm...

fitz0

This actually sounds like a good idea. Less traffic is GOOD. Even if this is just about "generating some "look at us, we're totally hip" publicity", if it works then it cant be bad can it?

Stark

It won't work though. The suggestion of only allowing them access to one of the car parks was a much better idea.

paulm17781

Stark wrote: »

It won't work though. The suggestion of only allowing them access to one of the car parks was a much better idea.

Totally agree. I'm actually shocked people are as sh1t as to drive a 5 minutes walk.

Davidth88

Totally agree. I'm actually shocked people are as sh1t as to drive a 5 minutes walk.

And no doubt put in mileage claims for this also !

seamus

Bee wrote: »

No need for some twat to abuse tax payers money by buying useless bicycles.

Yeah, because they've never caught on :rolleyes:

Not least, if it takes 3 minutes on a bike versus 15 minutes in a car, then surely that will save far more money than the cost of a few bikes?

Colm R

seamus wrote: »

Yeah, because they've never caught on :rolleyes:

Not least, if it takes 3 minutes on a bike versus 15 minutes in a car, then surely that will save far more money than the cost of a few bikes?

Ah but, in public bodies, time != money

seamus

No, time = our money

spacetweek

The solution is overengineered here. If it's a 5 minute walk, no transport is needed, even a bike. Just bloody walk. Enforce it using Bee's car park A/B idea.

BendiBus

What sort of a tw*t will choose a 15 minute drive over a 5 minute walk? Whoever they are I bet they're fat bastards.

Metrobest

Bee wrote: »

What a total waste of tax payers money.

Can we get the council officials sacked for abusing tax payers money in this way?

Sack them!

I would suggest (obviously using two of my brain cells) that if any council official uses car park A then they be barred from using car park b and vice versa. Result is they would be unable to drive across.

No need for some twat to abuse tax payers money by buying useless bicycles.

I wonder how long it would take for them to walk to the neareast dole office :pac:

Colm R

Metrobest wrote: »

I wonder how long it would take for them to walk to the neareast dole office :pac:

Don't think that will be a problem. Remember who employs these people.

monument

paulm17781 wrote: »

I'm actually shocked people are as sh1t as to drive a 5 minutes walk.

I'm not.

And if you look at general car usage for short journeys you shouldn't be so shocked.

From personal experience, car - and bus - users seam to have fantasy idea about Dublin being much larger then it is. Some, if not most, people I know always overestimate cycling and walking journey times.

parsi

BendiBus wrote: »

What sort of a tw*t will choose a 15 minute drive over a 5 minute walk? Whoever they are I bet they're fat bastards.

It's an exaggeration but there are gazillions of people who feel it easier to be stuck in the car rather than walk for a few minutes.

Nuttzz

Give up that precious mileage allowance and walk instead, over my rusting lada!

paulm17781

parsi wrote: »

It's an exaggeration but there are gazillions of people who feel it easier to be stuck in the car rather than walk for a few minutes.

No doubt. Thought rather than be given bikes, they should be told to cop the fook on.

Stark

I remember when they did research on the parking problems in Coolmine station (nearby housing estates were full of cars overflowing from the car park), they found that most of the cars were driving from estates 5 minutes walk away.

parsi

Nuttzz wrote: »

Give up that precious mileage allowance and walk instead, over my rusting lada!

Isn't mileage only given for more than 5 miles ?

HonalD

I think we're getting off the point - if it works - great = less traffic; if not, worth a try!

cyclopath2001

Anytime time I hear an official announcement promoting bicycle use, I always check to see which cycle track they've just removed.