Councillor Donna McGettigan, Cathaoirleach of Shannon Municipal District launching Shannon’s participation in World Bicycle Day with (from left): Kevin Conlon, Fine Grain Property; Alan Farrell, Director of Services, Clare County Council; Conor Healy, Nova Systems; Anne Griffin, Shannon Municipal District; and Helen Downes, CEO, Shannon Chamber. Photograph by Eamon Ward

Employees from Shannon companies took to their bicycles last week to celebrate World Bicycle Day, marking Shannon’s inaugural participation in this annual global celebration of the humble two-wheeler.

This unique lunchtime event was organised on Wednesday, 5 June by Shannon Chamber in conjunction with Shannon Municipal District and Fine Grain Property with the support of Shannon Town Centre, HSE, CoMotion, Clare Sports Partnership and The Bike Doc, Ballycasey.

Thanks to the generosity of CoMotion, operators of the shared bicycle scheme in Shannon, the majority of cyclists availed of the offer to use CoMotion’s electric bikes free of charge, resulting in a sea of colour emblazoning the bikes as they wove their way from Shannon Free Zone, across the pedestrian overpass on the N19, onto Drumgeely Road and into Shannon Town Centre. Shannon Municipal District staff took up marshal positions along the route to ensure cyclist safety.

The cyclists stopped off at the Town Centre for a light lunch, free health checks provided by HSE staff, bike repair advice from Ballycasey-based The Bike Doc, and ice cream cones compliments of Fine Grain Property.

Councillor Donna McGettigan, Cathaoirleach of Shannon Municipal District, welcomed the cyclists to Shannon where they were also addressed by Mick Guinee, chairman and chief executive of Ei Electronics, a keen cyclist who encouraged people to use their bikes to get around Shannon. Mick continued his journey on bike to a meeting at Shannon Aviation Museum showing that meetings in Shannon can be achieved by using the bikes.

Chamber CEO Helen Downes was delighted with the day saying that this is just the beginning of the Chamber’s push to champion the use of bikes by businesses in Shannon.

“CoMotion has a fleet of 50 electric bikes located throughout Shannon. We would love to see more people using these, particularly Shannon’s workforce during their lunch breaks or to travel to any meetings they may have in Shannon. We are already planning for a larger World Bicycle Day in 2025.”

Commenting on the event, Alan Farrell, Director of Services, Clare County Council, said: “Shannon Municipal District was delighted to assist with this exciting initiative which has created further synergies between the industrial zone and Shannon town. The Council is working to respond to the needs and expectations of the area, and this involves creating social connections between people whilst contributing to a greener and healthier society. There was a large number of people involved in the organisation of the lunchtime cycle event and I would like to thank our proactive partners who were instrumental in spearheading it, particularly Colin MacDonald, Fine Grain Property and Helen Downes, Shannon Chamber.”

Colin MacDonald, CEO of Fine Grain Property, which owns Westpark Innovation Campus added: “Westpark is very grateful to Shannon Chamber of Commerce and Clare County Council for working with us to organise such a fun day, highlighting the sustainable two-wheeled connectivity of Shannon Town and the Business Zone. It’s a healthy, convenient and sustainable seven-minute cycle from Westpark to Shannon Town Centre, whether you’re going to work, popping into town for lunch, or just going for a spin!” 

Cyclists at the off for Shannon’s participation in World Bicycle Day. Photo by Eamon Ward.

A colourful sight as cyclists make their way from Shannon Free Zone to Shannon Town Centre to celebrate World Bicycle Day. Photo by Eamon Ward.

Councillor Donna McGettigan, Cathaoirleach of Shannon Municipal District pictured at Shannon Town Centre with (from left): Anne Cawley, Fine Grain Property; Helen Downes, Shannon Chamber; Anne Griffin and Tom Mellett, Shannon Municipal District; and Mick Guinee, Ei Electronics. Photo by Eamon Ward.

Employees from Aerogen Shannon participating in the World Bicycle Day cycle from Shannon Free Zone to Shannon Town Centre enjoy ice cream cones before cycling back to work. Photo by Eamon Ward.