Walking, wheeling and cycling take up to 660,000 cars off the road each day in Ireland’s five largest Metropolitan Areas.
NTA survey shows increase in number of Galwegians walking and wheeling at least five days a week .
Cycling increasing amongst young people.
Galway Metropolitan Region Walking and Cycling Index 2025
23,000 return walking and cycling trips daily by residents who could have used a car
The National Transport Authority has today published the findings of its latest survey of walking, wheeling and cycling in the Galway Metropolitan Area, which reveals that every day, up to 23,000 return walking and cycling non-leisure trips are made by residents who could have used a car. The report shows a marked increase in the number of residents now walking or wheeling at least five times a week, up from 60% in 2023, to 67% in 2025. The survey also reveals that at least 1 in 5 (21%) adult residents cycle at least once a week, with the number of young people aged 16-25 who cycle at least once a week having increased to 35%, up from 31% in 2023.
The Walking and Cycling Index provides the largest assessment of walking, wheeling, and cycling in Ireland and the UK. It is delivered in collaboration with Galway City and County Councils, the National Transport Authority and the sustainable transport charity, Walk Wheel Cycle Trust. Alongside the Galway Metropolitan Area Walking and Cycling Index, the Dublin, Cork, Limerick Shannon, and Waterford Metropolitan Areas are also publishing Index reports today.
Galway Metropolitan Region Walking and Cycling Index 2025 – National Transport
The Galway Metropolitan Area Walking and Cycling Index is based on an independent demographically representative survey of more than 1,100 residents from across Galway Metropolitan Area, aged 16 and above, not just those who walk, wheel or cycle. The Metropolitan Area covers the area from Oranmore to Barna and north to Claregalway.
It reveals that 64% of residents are in favour of additional investment in cycling and 66% are in favour of additional investment in walking and wheeling. Support for the development of more protected cycle infrastructure within the Galway Metropolitan Area remains high, with 82% of residents supporting building cycle tracks physically separated from traffic and pedestrians, even where that means less room for other traffic.
Key findings from the 2025 Galway Metropolitan Area Walking and Cycling Index:
- 67% of adult residents walk 5 or more days a week, 55% use a car 5 or more days a week.
- 69% of women walk or wheel 5 or more days a week, up from 64% in 2023.
- 1 in 5 (21%) adults cycle at least once a week.
- 35% of young people aged 16-25 cycle at least once a week, up from 31% in 2023.
- 44% of residents want to walk more, and 38% want to cycle more in the future.
- 82% of residents support building cycle tracks physically separated from traffic and pedestrians, even where that means less room for other traffic.
- Every day those who walk, wheel or cycle for non-leisure trips when they could have used a car take up to 23,000 cars off the road in the Galway Metropolitan Area. If all of these cars were in a traffic jam it would tail back 112 kilometres.
- Residents walking, wheeling and cycling create an annual economic benefit for individuals and the Galway Metropolitan Area of €171.1 million.
- Walking, wheeling and cycling improve public health in the Galway Metropolitan Area, preventing 278 long term serious health conditions annually and saving the HSE €3.6million equivalent to the cost of over 60,000 GP appointments.
- Those walking, wheeling and cycling instead of driving, save greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 36,000 flights from Shannon Airport to London Heathrow Airport.
- There is a €1.67 net economic benefit for each km cycled instead of driven and €1.19 net economic benefit for each km walked instead of driven.
Economic Benefits of Active Travel
The report found that walking, wheeling and cycling create an annual economic benefit for individuals and the Galway Metropolitan Area of €171.1m. This includes €1.67 of a net economic benefit for each km cycled instead of driven and €1.19 benefit of each km walked instead of driven. These costs were determined through an analysis of travel time, vehicle operating costs, health benefits, air quality and taxation.
Environmental Benefits
Every day up to 23,000 return walking, wheeling and cycling trips are made daily in the Galway Metropolitan Area by residents that could have used a car. If these cars were all in a traffic jam, it would tail back 112 kilometres.
The report also found that walking, wheeling and cycling save 4,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in Galway each year, which is equivalent to about 36,000 residents taking flights from Shannon Airport to London Heathrow Airport.
Health Benefits and Inclusivity
The benefits of walking, wheeling and cycling to the Galway Metropolitan Area are outlined in the report, with the physical activity benefits preventing 278 long-term serious health conditions annually, valued at approx. €3.6million equivalent to the cost of over 60,000 GP appointments.
The Index showed that residents’ travel choices and their perceptions of walking, wheeling, and cycling vary between different groups. It found that 50% of residents with a disability walk or wheel at least five days a week in Galway, compared to 68% of residents without a disability. While 69% of women and 65% of men walk or wheel at least five days a week, there is a larger gender gap when it comes to cycling with 28% of men cycling at least once a week, compared with 15% of women. 23% of women say they do not cycle but would like to.
What Residents Say Will Help Them Walk or Cycle More
When asked what would help them walk or wheel more, more than 7 in 10 Galway Metropolitan Area residents said they want wider pavements, better footpath accessibility including dropped kerbs at crossing points, and nicer places along streets to stop and rest, fewer cars parked on footpaths, and more frequent crossing points with reduced wait times. The report found in the Galway Metropolitan area that 84% of roads meeting at traffic‑light junctions have a dedicated pedestrian crossing.
When asked what would help them cycle more, more than 6 in 10 residents want infrastructural improvements such as traffic-free paths through parks or greenways, better links with public transport, and cycle tracks along roads physically separated from traffic and pedestrians. 82% of residents support building cycle tracks physically separated from traffic and pedestrians even where that means less room for other traffic.
Creating a Better Place to Live
Galway residents also recognise the importance of liveable neighbourhoods. 79% of residents support creating low traffic neighbourhoods where groups of streets, bordered by main roads, have ‘through’ motor vehicle traffic greatly reduced. 86% say they support reducing speed limits, improving crossing points and introducing protected cycle paths in school neighbourhoods.
Pleased to see successful delivery of projects at Doughiska Road South, Wolfe Tone Bridge and Eglinton Canal.
Speaking on the Walking and Cycling Index, Cllr Mike Cubbard, Mayor of Galway City Council said:
“As Mayor of the City of Galway, I am pleased to welcome the second Galway Metropolitan Area Walking and Cycling Index. This report uses independent research and robust data to demonstrate the value of active travel.
I’m pleased to see the progress of recent years, including the successful delivery of projects at Doughiska Road South, Wolfe Tone Bridge and Eglinton Canal. With the support of funding partners including the National Transport Authority and the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, more high-quality infrastructure will soon be delivered in other areas of the city, along with newly enhanced bus and train facilities. All of this will help Galway to develop in a sustainable fashion, benefitting residents, those who work here, and visitors for many years into the future.”
A clear picture of investment in our communities for the future
Cllr. David Collins, Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council said:
“As Cathaoirleach of Galway County, I am delighted to introduce the Walking and Cycling Index. This report offers valuable insights into the behaviours and perspectives of residents in Oranmore, Baile Chláir and Bearna regarding walking, wheeling, and cycling. It provides a clear picture of the investment and infrastructure our communities wish to see and highlights opportunities to plan more effectively for the future.”
NTA commitment to creating safe, connected streets.
Anne Shaw, CEO of NTA said: “This latest edition of the Galway Metropolitan Area Walking and Cycling Index provides valuable insights into how people travel and what is needed to make walking, wheeling and cycling safer, easier and more attractive. Since the last Index in 2023, we have worked closely with Galway City Council and Galway County Council to invest in schemes that reflect our shared commitment to creating safe, connected streets.
The feedback in the report is clear: people in Galway want to walk, wheel and cycle more. We are responding with infrastructure that supports this ambition and helps create a healthier, safer and more liveable Galway Metropolitan Area.”
Further Information
The Galway Metropolitan Area Walking and Cycling Index can be accessed at: Galway Metropolitan Region Walking and Cycling Index 2025 – National Transport
Methodology
- The Walking and Cycling Index is the biggest assessment of walking, wheeling and cycling in urban areas in Ireland and the UK.
- In the Republic of Ireland, it is delivered in collaboration with the NTA and the local authorities for the 5 Metropolitan Areas of Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick/Shannon and Waterford. 17 UK cities and urban areas are also involved, including Liverpool City Region, Greater Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
- The Metropolitan Area covers the area from Oranmore to Barna and north to Claregalway.
- The information in the reports comes from local data, modelling and an independent demographically representative survey of at least 1,100 residents aged 16+ in each Metropolitan Area.
- The survey was conducted face-to-face by the independent market research company Ipsos B&A from April to July 2025.
- The survey is representative of all Galway Metropolitan Area residents, not just those who walk, wheel or cycle.
- The Walking and Cycling Index uses a model to analyse the costs and benefits of driving, walking and cycling. Inputs include travel time, vehicle operating costs, health benefits, air quality and taxation.
- All other data is sourced from city partners, national data sets or modelled and calculated by Walk Wheel Cycle Trust.
- There is a +/-3% margin of error.
- A more in-depth methodology is available at The Walking and Cycling Index – Walk Wheel Cycle Trust and Galway Metropolitan Region Walking and Cycling Index 2025
- Use of the term ‘wheeling’ – Walk Wheel Cycle Trust provide this definition for the term ‘wheeling’ in the body of each Report. “We recognise that some people who use wheeled mobility aids, for example a wheelchair or a mobility scooter, may not identify with the term walking and may prefer to use the term wheeling. We use the terms walking and wheeling together to ensure we are as inclusive as possible.”