Clonakilty bikes seen as flagship

CORK County Council has earmarked Clonakilty Community Bicycle scheme as a flagship project in its newly formulated ‘Trails for Tourism’ policy document. 

The move comes after Clonakilty-based Cllr Christopher O’Sullivan (FF) highlighted the success of the scheme at a recent Council tourism-specific policy committee meeting.

The Trails for Tourism policy document sets out ways of utilising and promoting the existing walking and cycling trails in the county.

Cllr O’Sullivan said the people behind the Clonakilty Bicycle Scheme have put a lot of effort into getting this scheme off the ground, and it is proving to be as big success.  Throughout the summer the scheme was widely used by both locals and visitors to the town with the ‘white bikes’ being spotted throughout the town. There was also an uptake of the scheme in Rosscarbery and Courtmacsherry.

The Council has allocated funding for the scheme as part of their community grant scheme, and Cllr O’Sullivan said: ‘Its inclusion, as a flagship project, is more good news for Clonakilty and the surrounding area.’

Other flagship projects to be included are: The Sheep’s Head Way, Carrigaline/Crosshaven walking trail, The Blackwater Way, Ballincollig Gunpowder Trails and Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails.