Mix Your Mode: 3° Stakeholder meeting for Cork
The Third EMBRACER Regional Stakeholders Meeting and the Mix Your Mode public seminar took place on April 22, 2024, at Vertigo, Cork County Hall. Hosted by The Environmental Forum, The Transport and Mobility Forum (TMF) and Cork County Council, the event aimed to advocate for alternative and sustainable transportation modes, focusing on the theme 'How Mobile are Rural and Urban Edge Places?'. There were 43 attendees at the seminar which aimed to address mobility challenges in regional communities, fostering discussions on innovative solutions to connect people and enhance economic, academic, and social opportunities.
Stephan Koch, TMF Chairperson and Commuter Plan Manager for UCC, served as the Master of Ceremonies, providing an overview of the proceedings, and facilitating engaging discussions.
Dr Darren McAdam O’Connell, TMF Coordinator from The Environmental Forum, initiated the seminar by illuminating regional mobility challenges in Cork City and Cork County and outlined strategies for fostering innovative, sustainable solutions to connect underserved regions. EMBRACER objectives were outlined as well, emphasiing the importance of exchanging experience and learning from existing good practice models from European partners. By advocating for and integrating various transport modes such as cycling, ride-hailing, and shared services with public transportation and how EMBRACER aims to improve connections to urban centres, enhancing social, academic, and employment prospects for communities.
The active participation of secondary school students showcased their proactive role in spearheading innovative transportation solutions. Several project were presented, all underlining the importance of a greater sustainability in transport.
The Mix Your Mode seminar concluded with a World Café session, where attendees explored solutions for improving regional mobility and reducing carbon emissions. Key findings included the need for increased investment in park and ride facilities, expanded local link bus services, improved cycling infrastructure, and legislative support for remote working.
Regarding regional recreational groups like the GAA, attendees highlighted the potential for clubs to promote the health benefits of active travel and provide bike parking facilities. Discussions on urban planning emphasised developing inclusive infrastructure prioritising active transport over cars and improving accessibility for people with disabilities.
Following lunch, stakeholders of the TMF reconvened for the 3rd EMBRACER Regional Stakeholders Strategy Meeting to delve into the findings of the Mix Your Mode public seminar and deliberate on the next steps under EMBRACER. The meeting commenced with an examination to identify and earmark several underserved areas characterised by poor permeability and a lack of essential services. Strategies were discussed on how the TMF could conduct active travel counts, administer public surveys through community organisations and the Cork Chamber of Commerce, and collaborate with existing projects like Step Up from UCC and the Green Schools Climate Action Survey to gather data not available from the national census. This data would serve as a valuable resource to influence future council development plans and policy decisions in Cork city and county.
Furthermore, there was extensive discussion around identifying good practice models that could be exchanged through EMBRACER regarding the exploration of new and developing infrastructure such as greenways that connect with park and ride facilities, public transport networks, and cycle lanes. Challenges related to obtaining data for active transport were acknowledged, prompting stakeholders to brainstorm innovative approaches to overcome these obstacles. Through leveraging this data, TMF stakeholders, primarily Cork County and city councils, along with public transport providers, can pinpoint areas where there is a pressing need for the implementation of more active and public transport options.
Overall Mix Your Mode and the EMBRACER meeting addressed mobility challenges, focusing on rural and urban edge areas. Discussions highlighted sustainable transportation solutions, youth involvement, and community engagement. Key themes included active travel promotion, cycling infrastructure improvement, and the need for innovative legislation and urban planning.