Galway Metropolitan Region Walking and Cycling Index 2025

Walking, wheeling and cycling take up to 23,000 cars off the road each day in the Galway 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:

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.

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

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.

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

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.