Sandra Overend MLA has been cycling various routes around Belfast with the Regional Development Department's Cycling Unit to experience the challenges and assess the problems for city cyclists. 

Mrs Overend, who is the Assembly Private Secretary to the Minister for Regional Development, Danny Kennedy MLA, said, 

“Earlier this week I spent a few hours on my bicycle experiencing the challenges faced by cyclists in the city of Belfast on a daily basis. I felt that it was important for me to see what city cyclists have to contend with, such as numerous traffic lanes and a high number of vehicles parked in cycle lanes.  So I joined the DRD Cycling Unit on various routes around the city in order to feed our experiences into the Minister's Cycling Strategy. 

“In May we hosted the world famous Giro d’Italia which passed through many parts of our country promoting Northern Ireland to cycling enthusiasts across the globe, so it would be remiss of us not to grasp the opportunity to ensure there is a lasting legacy for local cycling commuters, and encourage a much greater uptake of cycling here.” 

“The Transport Minister, Danny Kennedy, is keen to improve conditions for cyclists and in doing so encourage more people to use a bicycle for everyday journeys. I am playing a part in identifying the changes that need to be made and the best way to do that is to experience it myself.   

"Part of the Minister’s vision is creating networks of high quality joined up cyclimg routes in cities and this will include reviewing existing cycling provision.  This will take time to do properly which is why the Cycling Unit is working on a Bicycle Strategy which will outline the type of cycling community we would like to see for Northern Ireland in the next 25 years. The publication of the draft bicycle strategy is imminent.