Cork Metropolitan Region | Walking and Cycling Index 2025

Walking, wheeling and cycling take up to 82,000 cars off the road each day in the Cork Metropolitan Area, according to the 2025 Walking and Cycling Index, published in partnership with Walk Wheel Cycle Trust and the National Transport Authority.

Key findings from the Walking and Cycling Index

Key findings from the Walking and Cycling Index include:

Walk, Wheel, Cycle Participation Rates:

66% of adult residents walk or wheel 5 or more days a week, up from 52% in 2023.
69% of women walk or wheel 5 or more days a week, up from 52% in 2023.
9% of adult residents aged 66+ cycle at least once a week, up from 5% in 2023.

Economic, Health and Environmental Benefits of People who Walk, Wheel or Cycle:

Every day those who walk, wheel and cycle for non-leisure trips when they could used a car take up to 82,000 cars off the road in the Cork Metropolitan Area. If all of these cars were in a traffic jam it would tail back 394 kilometres.
Residents walking, wheeling and cycling create an annual economic benefit for individuals and the Cork Metropolitan Area of €9 million.
There is a €1.61 net economic benefit for each km cycled instead of driven and €1.13 net economic benefit for each km walked instead of driven.
Walking, wheeling and cycling improves public health in the Cork Metropolitan Area, preventing 775 long-term health conditions saving the HSE €9.8million, equivalent to the cost of over 160,000 GP appointments.
Those walking and cycling instead of driving, save greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 130,000 flights from Cork Airport to London Heathrow Airport.

Public Attitudes of the Cork Metropolitan Area towards Walking, Wheeling and Cycling:

52% want to walk more, and 38% want to cycle more in the future.
75% of residents support additional investment in walking and wheeling, up from 71% in 2023.
67% of residents support additional investment in cycling, up from 63% in 2023
73% of residents support building more cycle tracks physically separated from traffic and pedestrians, up from 69% in 2023.