Dublin City’s Lord Mayor Allison Gilliland was presented with her official bicycle by Dublin Cycling Campaign at a special handover ceremony at the Mansion House on Friday 3rd December last.

The first Dublin City Lord Mayor’s bicycle was presented in 2018 and it has now become an annual tradition. The Lord Mayor’s bicycle is funded by Dublin Cycling Campaign and its supporters and was supplied by Rothar bike shop in Phibsborough.

The official bicycle provides the Lord Mayor with a sustainable mode of transport that is efficient, healthy and emissions-free. As Dublin faces up to addressing the climate challenge this official bicycle offers the ideal transport solution for Dublin’s First Citizen. The bicycle is a visible manifestation of a new era where officials in authority lead by example in efforts to tackle climate change.

Cycling has provided a lifeline to Dublin during the current public health crisis. The pandemic has seen thousands of Dubliners take to their bikes, with cycling offering people a means of getting around the city quickly and conveniently, while also freeing up vital space on public transport for essential workers.

Lord Mayor Allison Gilliland said: “I’m delighted to accept this bicycle from the Dublin Cycling Campaign group on behalf of the Mansion House, and I look forward to meeting the people of Dublin on my regular trips around the city. I am particularly conscious of the need to reduce carbon emissions and improve the quality of our city air both to meet our 2050 green climate change targets, but also to enhance the quality of living, working and recreating in our city- shifting more people from their cars to bikes is one of the best ways to achieve this.”

Kevin Baker, Chairperson of Dublin Cycling Campaign, said: “We’re delighted to present the Lord Mayor with her new bicycle. Cycling has become so important for so many people during this pandemic and we appreciate the leadership of councillors like Allison Gilliland, and the work being done by Dublin City Council, to make cycling safer and more attractive for people of all ages and abilities.”

Colm Ryder, Chairperson of Cyclist.ie said: “It is inspiring to see Dublin City’s Lord Mayor setting an example for all its citizens. As Frans Timmermans, EU Executive Vice President with special responsibility for the EU Green Deal says - ‘The Bicycle is the most important instrument in meeting climate change targets.’“

Deirdre Kelly, Cycling and Walking Officer Dublin City Council, said: “Dublin City Council are delighted to see the Lord Mayor accept this bicycle. The use of this official bicycle by the Lord Mayor reflects the transport priorities of the City Council, which encourage people to switch to sustainable transport modes wherever possible.”