Transport is a leading contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, which makes how we get from A to B an important question to consider if we want to reduce our environmental impact. Many are unaware that the humble bicycle is a practical replacement for the car on many journeys – bike riding is efficient, healthy, fun, and good for the environment too. For Christians and other people of faith, cycling expresses our care for creation and other people, including future generations.
This May Carrigrohane Union of Parishes formed its own sub-team as part of Cork’s contribution in the 2017 European Cycling Challenge (ECC) to raise the visibility of cycling in our own congregation and the local community and to show that cycling is a viable transport mode for young and old alike. The ECC is a fun competition among European cities to cycle the greatest distance over the month of May, demonstrating that cycling is an important form of transport. This year, Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford were among over 50 cities throughout Europe participating in the ECC .
The Carrigrohane Church team had 12 members ranging from pre-school to middle-age and logged a grand total of 1,531 km over the month. Noteworthy contributions include over 500 km cycled by five children in national school and a further 6 km by one doughty 3-year old. The children, in particular, loved the personal challenge and competitive side of the ECC (some sibling rivalry had to be quelled) and the idea of participating in a Europe-wide event. Some of them were aching for the chance to do even more cycling (while their parents just ached).
Overall, team Carrigrohane Church took 4th place in Cork, ahead of the city and county councils teams and even the university team, showing what a close-knit community of faith can achieve. As a result, several other church members have now got their own bikes and are cycling too! We look forward to the next European Cycling Challenge in 2018 and to competing against other congregations across the country.
Dean Venables, Carrigrohane Union of Parishes