Leveling Up Our Bike Mechanic Skills

November 2024

Last week, Anna attended a bike technical course in Dublin to enhance her mechanical expertise. The hands-on training covered everything required to perform a Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) on any bike, diving deep into essential aspects like gear adjustments, brake tuning, and fine-tuning every component to ensure a smooth ride.

It was a fantastic opportunity to not only refine her skills but also better understand the intricate mechanics behind cycling. Anna is eager to apply what she has learned to maintain and enhance our e-bike fleet, ensuring it remains in top-notch condition. She’s excited to keep learning and moving forward! 

Go Green Next 

November 2024

To wrap up our week in Catalonia, James participated in a series of meetings for the Horizon-funded Go Green Next project as an advisory board member. He delivered an insightful session on promoting active mobility at the Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona, which was a hit with the audience. His engaging, slightly ironic style, combined with personal anecdotes, brought the topic to life in a way that felt real and relatable. By sharing real-world examples, James made his points both grounded and authentic. He speaks candidly, never sugar-coating or trying to please everyone—if something seems off, like driving 1500km a week or spending an hour stuck in campus traffic, he calls it out in a respectful yet sharp manner.

The event also provided a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow researchers and representatives from European cities to discuss active mobility and nature-based solutions. James also had some great conversations with people from Umea Municipality in Sweden and a data science professor from Versailles.

One highlight we loved in Barcelona was the bike traffic lights—definitely something we need in Limerick!

Urban Transitions Conference 

November 2024

Continuing with our busy week of events in Catalonia, some of the ISCycle team also attended the Urban Transitions 2024 Conference in Sitges last week to share insights about ISCycle2. The conference theme focused on healthy urban development, bringing together a diverse mix of disciplines to present on topics like mobility, nature, equity, air quality, housing, and planning. Highlights included presentations on research about e-biking in Germany, participatory methods for engaging older adults, the effectiveness of modal shift interventions, and the potential of low-traffic neighborhoods. Our journey back home via Barcelona provided an exciting opportunity to visit the Superilles (Superblocks), where many of the concepts and ideas discussed during the conference came to life in the real-world. We also had a firsthand experience with the recent floods in Valencia and Catalonia—a powerful reminder of the consequences of failing to address climate change more swiftly! 

Smart City Expo World Congress 

November 2024

Last week, the ISCycle team embarked on an exciting journey to Catalonia, immersing ourselves in a week filled with engaging and thought-provoking events. This trip was not just a routine business visit but a deep dive into the future of urban living and sustainability, offering valuable insights that will shape our ongoing efforts.

One of the standout moments of the week was our attendance at the Smart City World Congress in Barcelona. This major event served as a beacon for innovative solutions aimed at creating smarter, more sustainable cities. The conference attracted an impressive crowd of 25,000 people and 1,150 exhibitors, bringing together thought leaders, innovators, researchers, and professionals from around the globe to share their visions and breakthroughs.

The atmosphere was electric with anticipation and curiosity. We were treated to a series of inspiring talks from experts across various fields, covering a broad spectrum of topics—each more fascinating than the last. From the latest renewable energy solutions to groundbreaking urban planning strategies, the conference proved to be a treasure trove of knowledge and inspiration.

One of the most exciting aspects of the conference was the showcase of cutting-edge gadgets and technologies designed to enhance urban living. We saw demonstrations of smart home devices that promise to make our daily lives more convenient and efficient, as well as presentations on advanced public transportation systems that could revolutionize the way we move around our cities.

A significant portion of the discussions centered on mobility—a theme that resonated deeply with us at ISCycle, given our commitment to promoting sustainable transportation solutions. The focus was on how cities can become more connected, efficient, and environmentally friendly through advancements in transportation and infrastructure. We explored ideas ranging from electric vehicle integration to the development of smart traffic management systems designed to reduce congestion and pollution.

The conference also provided ample networking opportunities. We connected with like-minded professionals and potential collaborators, exchanging ideas and forging new partnerships. These interactions were invaluable, offering fresh perspectives and insights that we can apply to our own projects.

In addition to attending this conference, we also participated in other events, further enriching our experience in Catalonia. Each event provided a platform for sharing our own work while learning from others who are driving change in the field of urban mobility and sustainability.

Overall, our trip to Catalonia was a resounding success. It reinforced our belief in the power of innovation and collaboration to create better, more sustainable cities. We returned home with a wealth of new ideas and a renewed sense of purpose, eager to apply what we learned to our ongoing projects.

Stay tuned for more updates on our week in Catalonia!

Exploring E-Biking as Exercise

October 2024

Understanding the potential health benefits of e-biking requires a closer examination of how various factors—such as the power settings used on the bike, the intensity of the ride, and the chosen route—impact the rider's physiological response.

At ISCycle, we are conducting research delving into the relationship between e-biking and physical activity. Specifically, we are investigating how different power settings, intensities, and route choices influence heart rate and other indicators of physical activity. We have begun assessing individual physiological profiles in a controlled laboratory environment, which will allow us to estimate physiological responses in real-world settings. This study aims to clarify under what conditions e-biking can be classified as exercise.

By enhancing our understanding of e-biking's role in physical activity, we hope to encourage more people to embrace this sustainable mode of transportation, which is not only good for the planet but also beneficial for individual health and fitness.

Stay tuned for updates on our findings and how they may reshape our perception of e-biking as a legitimate form of exercise!

Cycling and Society Symposium in Porto

September 2024

Earlier in September, some of the ISCycle team joined the Cycling and Society Symposium in Porto [and online]. James presented findings from qualitative interviews with parents of school-aged children using cargo bikes for the ‘school run’, based on Aoife Houlihan and Alannah Mitchell’s research project. Louise discussed ways to increase equity of schemes to promote cycling; including how the cycle-to-work scheme locks out many of those who might most benefit from access to a subsidised bike — students, older people, those in precarious work, those not in work, for example. It was also a chance to engage not just with researchers but a range of other stakeholders and cycling enthusiasts, and go for fantastic evening cycle through Porto, and out to the ocean.  

Celebrating World Car-Free Day

September 2024

The ISCycle crew recently participated in the Kings Island Cycle in Limerick to celebrate World Car-Free Day on the 22nd of September! This event provided a fantastic opportunity to promote sustainable transportation and encourage our community to think green. Together, we are pedaling towards a brighter, greener future! 

One of the highlights of the day was equipping the mayor of Limerick, John Moran, with one of our e-bikes! It is truly inspiring to see local leaders embracing eco-friendly alternatives to cars and setting an example for everyone.

This event was not just about cycling; it was about community, awareness, and action. By choosing to ride instead of drive, we all took a step towards a cleaner, healthier planet. The ISCycle crew is proud to be part of this movement and we look forward to many more events like this in the future.

Thank you to everyone who participated and made this day unforgettable. Let us continue to champion the cause of sustainable living and inspire others to join us on this journey. Together, we can make a difference!

Insights from the Network City and Landscape Forum and  Cycling Research Board Annual Meeting

September 2024

From September 4 to 6, 2024, Zurich became the epicenter of cycling innovation as it hosted the Network City and Landscape (NSL) Forum & Cycling Research Board Annual Meeting (CRBAM).

The NSL Forum, held at ETH Zurich, focused on “Digital Twins for Europe’s Future Mobility.” This theme emphasized the need for designs that prioritize micro-mobility in response to the climate crisis. Keynote speakers and experts discussed the role of digital twins in urban planning, aiming to create more sustainable and efficient cities.

The CRBAM sessions, held on September 5 and 6, featured a variety of interactive formats designed to foster creativity and collaboration. Participants engaged in discussions on innovative methodologies, critical approaches to transport technology, and the promotion of cycling as a sustainable mode of transport.

Anna Barrero presented on ISCYCLE, highlighting the potential for e-bikes to make a significant impact on urban travel patterns. Her talk sparked engaging discussions among attendees, emphasizing the importance of integrating cycling into urban planning to promote healthier, more sustainable cities.