The Government should make it “less attractive” to own and drive a car, a Lunchtime Live listener has said. 

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan hopes to reduce by 20% the number of cars on Irish roads by the year 2030. 

The target is part of the Climate Action Plan that has but yet to be approved by the Cabinet. 

Whatever ministers decide, Peter believes there are far too many cars on Irish roads. 

“I do believe that certainly in the bigger urban areas, we’re way overly overdependent on cars,” he said. 

“Having originally come from the country, I understand completely there’s a very different relationship with the car in the country or if you’re in the commercial world. 

“But I believe that in urban areas there is a bit of fixation with cars and particularly bigger cars which is going to be difficult to unwind going forward.” 

A van overtaking a cyclist on a bike lane in April 2020. Picture by: Macronomy / Alamy Stock Photo

Peter added that there are a “lot of push and pull factors” about why people continue to use cars as their primary source of transport but thinks safety is an important one. 

“Every time I get out on my bike or scooter, you feel like you are taking your life into your hands as well,” he said, 

“But I try to do it because I’m trying to do the right thing… I think there’s too many car spaces in urban areas; it just makes it easier to get in a car and go out the door. 

“I think we’re going to have to make it less attractive to get into a car and put your car in traffic.” 

A woman cycles on a quiet street on St. Stephen's Green in Dublin's city centre as Ireland remains in lockdown.

Brian Cooke, Director General of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry, added that there is too little public transport to persuade people to give up their cars. 

“We do have a public transport deficit and if you look at last year’s climate action plan, the primary focus on the transport side is to put large amount of money into public transport over the next 10 years,” he said. 

“But it won’t solve the problem for everybody. 

“We actually have a growing population; not everyone lives in Dublin or Cork, Galway or Limerick.” 

Main image: Traffic. Picture by: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie