Limerick Metropolitan Region Walking and Cycling Index 2025

Walking, wheeling and cycling take up to 33,000 cars off the road each day in the Limerick 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:

51% of adult residents walk 5 or more days a week, 58% use a car 5 or more days a week and 15% of adults cycle at least once a week.
33% of young adults aged 16-25 cycle at least one day a week, up from 27% 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 have used a car take up to 33,000 cars off the road in the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area. If all of these cars were in a traffic jam it would tail back 157 kilometres.
Residents walking, wheeling and cycling create an annual economic benefit for individuals and the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area of €145.4 million.
Walking, wheeling and cycling improve public health in the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area, preventing 325 serious long term health conditions each year, saving the HSE €4.1 million equivalent to the cost of over 68,000 GP appointments.
Those walking, wheeling and cycling instead of driving, save greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 65,000 flights from Shannon Airport to London Heathrow Airport.
There is a €1.62 net economic benefit for each km cycled instead of driven and €1.14 net economic benefit for each km walked instead of driven.

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

69% of residents support building cycle tracks physically separated from traffic and pedestrians even where that means less room for other traffic.
41% of residents want to walk more and 27% want to cycle more.
64% of residents are in favour of additional investment in walking and wheeling, and 54% are in favour of additional investment in cycling.