The history of cycling in Ireland is deeply intertwined with its social and technological evolution. John Boyd Dunlop's invention of the pneumatic tire in Belfast in 1888 revolutionized cycling, leading to a boom in popularity and impacting everything from deliveries to the 1916 Easter Rising. By the 1930s, bicycles were the primary mode of transport in many Irish parishes, fostering social connection and reducing rural isolation, as evidenced by accounts in the National Museum of Ireland's exhibition on cycling.

However, the rise of car ownership during the "Celtic Tiger" era (before the 2008 financial crash) drastically reduced cycling, particularly among secondary school students. The number of students cycling to school plummeted by 87% between 1986 and 2011. Recent years have seen a resurgence, fueled by increased investment in cycling infrastructure (€360 million annually from 2020), on-street bike sharing programs, and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. While Dublin shows an 8.3% cycling commute rate, challenges remain, including inadequate and disconnected cycle lanes, and concerns about the sustainability of funding and political will following a change in government.

Impact Statement: The future of cycling in Ireland hinges on continued investment in infrastructure and addressing concerns about safety and connectivity of existing cycle lanes to encourage mass participation.