Budget 2024: Cork Labour rep calls for a ‘bike to school’ tax scheme

THE Labour Party has included a ‘Bike to School’ scheme, similar to the Bike to Work scheme in its alternative budget following the lobbying of the party’s candidate for the South East ward in Cork city, Peter Horgan.

The proposal is among a raft of measures included in the party’s cycling package, including the introduction of zero rate Vat for the purchase of bikes, e-bikes, and safety equipment; expansion of the bike-to-work scheme to parents purchasing bikes for their children. Including the self-employed in those eligible to avail of the bike-to-work scheme tax incentives.

Other proposals included in the package are the introduction of a bike-scrappage scheme for those who trade in old cars for e-bikes and cargo bikes as well as a proposed expansion of the City Bike Scheme to five new towns.

Mr Horgan has been a long-time advocate of increased government support for the provision of bikes, a possible solution to the choking effect of traffic throughout Cork but particularly in suburbs such as Douglas and Blackrock.

“I have been beating this drum since 2018,” he said. 

“We have cycle lanes, we can do with more segregation but the building blocks are there.

“This could play a small role in the reduction of commuter traffic, especially for those engaged in school commuting. Coupled with a radical overhaul of school transport we can reduce the amount of cars on the road.”