The Green Party has welcomed the Government commitment that 10% of passenger journeys will be made by bicycle by 2020 but has highlighted the need for close cooperation between local authorities, central Government and other agencies to realise the vision.

Green Party transport spokesperson Ciarán Cuffe stated: "I'm glad to see the Government has a plan to get people onto bikes. Cycling has been woefully neglected as a mode of transport by previous governments.

"Greater coordination between city and county councils and government departments needs to be at the cornerstone of this new policy if we are to have safe, well designed cycle routes throughout our towns and cities.

"People need to feel safe using a bike if they are to be tempted out of their cars. I'm glad to see the Government's commitment to improving driver awareness, cycle training and to review legislation to ensure cyclists are better protected as road users"

"Providing safe cycle routes for schoolchildren should also be a priority in this new policy. The Green Schools travel programme has been a great success and I welcome the commitment to a national rollout of the scheme. The 83% drop in school cyclists between 1986 and 2006, underlines the need for action in this area.

"However, there are some encouraging signs. Figures released last week show that the number of cyclists crossing Dublin's canals increased by one third in the last four years as large trucks were banned from city streets, and there has considerable interest in the Government's 'Cycle to Work' scheme. An information website about the scheme set up by the Green Party – bikescheme.ie – has received over 14,000 visitors since the beginning of the year.

"I am cautiously optimistic that cycling is now an integrated part of the Government's transport strategy," Deputy Cuffe concluded.