In 2007 Katie and Ruth realised they had a shared interest in cycling. Here’s how we worked together and developed Cycle Sense.
Ruth was finding it challenging to cycle with children in Skibbereen and Katie had just run an RSA Cycle training course with friends and family. This inspired us to train together with the Cycling Skills and Safety Training School in Kildare and started Cycle Sense in 2007. Since then we have been sharing the benefits of cycling through training children, adults and groups, doing various courses and events in County Cork, Cork City and Co Kerry.
Karl has worked with Cycle Sense from the beginning helping us look after our fleet of bikes. In 2017 he joined as an instructor.
We teach the Cycle Right National Standard developed by Cycling Ireland and work closely with Cork Sports Partnership.
For years we looked after all our bikes from our home workshops. In 2020 we finally got a base in Skibbereen and completed our City and Guild Bike mechanic qualification. Here we have been able to broaden our work and develop an interest we share in the Circular Economy. With a special partnership with the Rediscovery Centre in Ballymun, Cork County Council and Cork City Council we are able to open a re-use centre for Bikes and Water Based Paint.
Our workshop also gives us room to house a cargo bike and develop an Eco Delivery service in Skibbereen.
Cycle Sense is an active member of Cyclist.ie as we are passionate advocates for the need for safer infrastructure for cycling. We are part of the Rural Cycling Collective and promote Safer routes to School projects.
We are active in our local community organising cycling events and, with the help of the CEA fund, initiated the Skibbereen School Cycle Bus which is very popular.
Katie, Ruth and Karl at Cycle Sense would love to see cycling a normal part of transport and everyday life in ireland.