Development of Cycle Trail Criteria
Client: Sport Ireland
The Challenge
To prepare a Recreational Cycle Trail Criteria for Ireland – to include:
- Agreed Cycling Trail Criteria for Ireland document which includes an appropriate system for the grading of cycling trails
- A methodology for the assessment and scoring of developed cycling trails to determine if they adequately meet the criteria and are suitable for inclusion on the National Trails Register
The criteria will address recreational cycle trails in the following categories – greenways, off-road (including mountain biking) / traffic free cycle trails and road based cycle trails. It will draw upon existing criteria / standads which have been developed for some of these specific trails.
It is anticipated that the cycle trail criteria document will be structured similarly to the recently developed Water Trails Criteria for Ireland with sections as follows:
- Trail Design and Infrastructure – signposting to any existing guidance
- Access Agreement
- Trail Management
- Safety
- Visitor Information, Signage & Trail Experience
- Management of the environment
The Role
To:
- Undertake a review of all current guidance available to cycle trail developers in Ireland
- Effectively engage and consult with the outdoor recreation sector – this include a Project Steering Group comprising Sport Ireland, Cycling Ireland, Coillte, Department of Transport and Transport Infrastructure Ireland
- Develop a new Cycle Trail Criteria for the Republic of Ireland
- Develop a methodology for the assessment and scoring of developed water trails to determine if they adequately meet the criteria