Cork Metropolitan Area Walking and Cycling Index

Across the Cork Metropolitan Area, walking, wheeling and cycling remain a vital part of everyday travel. Walking alone has increased by 14%, showing growing confidence in active ways to get around, while other modes have held steady. The 2025 Index highlights the steady shift toward healthier, people-powered movement across the metropolitan area.

Every year, walking and cycling in the Cork Metropolitan Area results in:

775

serious long-term health conditions prevented

€415.9 million

in economic benefit for individuals and the region

13,000 tonnes

of greenhouse gas emissions saved

Up to 82,000

cars taken off the road every day

Fionnuala Solomon

I have a dance class in the city, which takes about 20 minutes to drive to, plus 10 minutes to find parking — and that’s when traffic is kind. Cycling takes 30 minutes ALWAYS: no parking stress, no traffic stress, no “will I be late?” stress.

It’s relaxing, enjoyable, and adds some more exercise into your routine — a win-win all round. I also like to cycle to meet friends for a drink or two.

Fewer hills in Cork would make cycling easier, and more bike lanes make everything smoother and safer. If more people cycled, we’d have less traffic anyway.

Cyclists enjoying Quietways 1 route through south east London

Our methods and data sources

Find out more

  • Walk Wheel Cycle Trust's Walking and Cycling Index

    Walk Wheel Cycle Trust's Walking and Cycling Index (formerly Bike Life) is the UK and Ireland's biggest ever study of walking, wheeling and cycling in urban areas. Download the report now.

    The Walking and Cycling Index
  • Man in wheelchair on shared use path

    Walking for everyone: A guide to making walking and wheeling accessible, inclusive and desirable

    We've teamed up with Living Streets and ARUP to create a guide to support people in local government, the transport sector and spatial planning, make walking and wheeling for everyone.
    Walking for everyone
  • Lady smiling as she rides her trike through an archway

    Cycling for everyone

    We've teamed up with Arup to create a guide to support people in local government and the transport sector to make cycling a more inclusive activity for everyone.
    Inclusive cycling in cities and towns