Expansion of Cycle Right
In line with the continued focus on increasing participation from the grassroots through to high performance, Cycling Ireland is pleased to announce three new appointments who will be working on the administration, delivery and growth of the Cycle Right Programme.
Cycle Right is the National Standard for cycle training. It provides practical cycle safety and skills training, promoting competent and confident cyclists.
This inclusive programme is produced and supported by the Department of Transport, the Road Safety Authority and Cycling Ireland, with input from central and local agencies and other groups.
The new Cycle Right team includes Catherine Flanagan and Conor Coleman, and Alice McGuigan.
Established in 2017, the Cycle Right programme provides school-aged children with core cycling skills, including road safety awareness. The programme grew significantly under the guidance of Barbara Connolly since its inception.
The long-term plan is to provide a pathway for children that have completed Cycle Right to participation within Cycling Ireland.
Last year Cycle Right reached approximately 35,000 participants. The aim for 2024 is to reach 40,000 people and in time to expand the programme to secondary schools and beyond.
The planned growth and development of Cycle Right is strongly connected to Cycling Ireland’s focus on road safety, with education playing a vital role.
Speaking
about the expansion, Cycling Ireland Participation Manager Paul Norton said:
"The expansion of the Cycle Right team is very exciting and marks the beginning of a new chapter in the Cycling Ireland Participation Team.
“Having additional people focused on this brilliant programme, which in 2024 will be delivered to 40,000 children in primary school, will allow us to refine the programme, expand the number of trainers, create links with our clubs and other stakeholders and to deliver other cycling opportunities in conjunction with the Regional Development Officers.
“A big thanks must go to the Department of Transport for their continued commitment in funding this programme, along with the RSA and An Taisce."
Catherine Flanagan joins the team with over 20 years’ experience in a National Governing Body. The former Coaching and Education Manager in Horse Sport Ireland has a wealth of experience in education, development, strategy and policy, covering all aspects of sport from grassroots to high performance.
In her 13 years as Coaching and Education Manager Flanagan oversaw the redevelopment of four levels of the coaching pathway, including the delivery of the first discipline specific Level 3 equestrian coach courses, a continuous professional development structure for trainers, as well as production of a comprehensive horsemanship skills and knowledge pathway for all stakeholders in the sector.
Speaking
about taking up her role with Cycle Right, Flanagan added:
“My role in Cycle Right will focus on building on the strong foundations that are already in place with Stage 1 training in schools and enhancing these structures for both trainers and participants.
“We will initially be focusing on streamlining processes and policies and enhancing the comprehensive resources available to support the programme. This will ensure that Cycle Right is in a position to expand into other communities across the country in the near future.”
Joining Flanagan is Conor Coleman.
Coleman holds a bachelor’s in business in Recreation and Sports Management from SETU Waterford and previously worked as a Sports Tutor for Waterford and Kilkenny Local Sports Partnerships.
In addition to this Coleman is a keen cyclist. He has cycled for the last 13 years and raced for 9. His racing career has included competing nationally and internationally with the Munster Cycling Academy and the Irish Youth Academy. Coleman also represented Ireland at the 2022 Duathlon Europeans, where he finished fifth.
Excited to
get involved in Cycle Right, Coleman said:
“I’m a proud member of Irelands oldest cycling club Dungarvan CC, and I am a committee member and coach for the club.
“I’m very happy to be working as Cycle Right Development Officer, I’m looking forward to bringing my on field and tutoring experience to Cycle Right and working closely with our trainers to continue to progress the programme.”
Completing the Cycle Right team is Alice McGuigan, Cycle Right Administrator.
She said:
“I started as administrator for Cycle Right in February after working with a Property Consultants and Management company.”
McGuigan also has a sporting background, she’s been horse-riding over 20 years and volunteered with RDAI for seven years as Club Children's Officer and is a keen leisure cyclist.
“I am looking forward to working on Cycle Right - especially communicating with our trainers so we can continue to develop and expand the programme.” she added.
For all
Cycle Right related queries please email cycleright@cyclingireland.ie