Getting Started
Getting Started with Greenway Cycling
A beginner's guide for older adults who haven't cycled in years. Covers equipment choices, building confidence, and finding your first greenway route.
Catpeoplecompany Limited
Síle O'Connor
Senior Cycling Access Specialist
Specialising in accessible cycling infrastructure for older adults, with 12 years of experience documenting and promoting Ireland's greenway networks for retirees.
12+
Years Experience
3
Major Greenways
2011
UCC Graduate
About
The Story Behind the Work
Síle grew up in County Cork where her grandfather's love of cycling inspired her early interest in accessible outdoor recreation. He'd cycle every weekend, and she was always pedaling alongside him—that curiosity about how to make cycling work for everyone stuck with her.
After completing her Environmental Studies degree at University College Cork in 2011, she started working with local councils to document and improve cycling infrastructure. Most of that early work was unglamorous—field research, surveys, talking to cyclists about what actually works. But that's where she learned something important: the best infrastructure comes from listening to the people who use it.
Her breakthrough came in 2015 when she led a comprehensive accessibility audit of the Great Western Greenway. The route was already popular, but she found specific pain points for older cyclists—missing signage, surface inconsistencies, lack of rest areas. Her recommendations resulted in targeted improvements that genuinely made a difference. That success opened doors.
Over the past decade, she's become deeply involved in mapping and promoting the Old Rail Trail between Athlone and Mullingar, and has collaborated extensively with community groups along the Déise Greenway in County Waterford. She's ridden these routes hundreds of times—not just to document them, but to understand what seniors actually experience when they cycle.
Now at catpeoplecompany Limited, her work focuses on creating educational materials that help older adults discover the joys of flat, traffic-free cycling while building confidence and community among senior cyclists. She combines rigorous field research with genuine engagement with the retiree cycling community. For her, it's not about promotion—it's about opening doors to something that genuinely improves people's lives.
Areas of Specialisation
What She Knows
A decade of hands-on experience across Ireland's most accessible cycling routes
Great Western Greenway
Comprehensive knowledge of Ireland's longest greenway spanning 42 kilometres from Westport to Achill. She's documented every accessible feature, surface condition, and rest point along the route.
Old Rail Trail Access
Deep expertise in the converted railway route between Athlone and Mullingar. She's worked with local communities to improve accessibility and has created detailed guides for cyclists of all abilities.
Déise Greenway Development
Collaborative work with County Waterford communities on this scenic greenway. She's helped identify barriers for older cyclists and advocate for inclusive design solutions.
Senior Cycling Advocacy
Active engagement with retiree cycling groups across Ireland. She conducts interviews, runs workshops, and builds community connections that inform her research and educational work.
Educational Materials
Creating accessible guides, route documentation, and training materials that help older adults build confidence on traffic-free cycling routes across Ireland.
Infrastructure Assessment
Systematic evaluation of cycling infrastructure for accessibility. She assesses signage, surfaces, gradients, rest facilities, and safety features that matter most to senior cyclists.
Methodology
How She Works
Síle's approach is built on a simple principle: listen first, document thoroughly, then advocate for real change. She doesn't just collect data from behind a desk—she's out on the routes regularly, cycling alongside older adults, understanding their experiences firsthand.
Her methodology combines rigorous field research with genuine community engagement. She'll spend weeks on a single greenway, noting surface conditions, testing accessibility features, and conducting interviews with cyclists of different abilities. That kind of detail matters. It's the difference between knowing a route exists and actually understanding what works for a 70-year-old retiree who hasn't cycled in decades.
When she works on educational materials, she thinks about real questions people actually ask. Not abstract learning outcomes, but practical things like: "Where can I rest on this route?" "What's the surface like when it rains?" "Are there bike repair stations?" She answers the questions that matter.
"The best infrastructure comes from listening to the people who use it. A beautiful greenway that doesn't work for older cyclists isn't beautiful—it's just a missed opportunity."
— Síle O'Connor
1
Research & Field Work
Extensive on-site evaluation and user interviews
2
Community Engagement
Direct conversation with cycling groups and retirees
3
Documentation
Detailed guides and educational materials
4
Advocacy & Improvement
Working with councils for infrastructure changes
Background
Education & Experience
2011
Environmental Studies Degree
University College Cork. Focus on sustainable transport and community infrastructure planning.
2011–2015
Local Council Projects
Working with Cork, Kerry, and Limerick councils on cycling infrastructure documentation and improvement initiatives.
2015–Present
Senior Cycling Access Specialist
Leading accessibility audits of major greenways, coordinating with community groups, and developing educational materials focused on senior-friendly cycling routes.
2015
Great Western Greenway Audit
Comprehensive accessibility assessment resulting in targeted improvements for older cyclists and retirees.
2018–Present
Catpeoplecompany Limited
Creating educational content and guides for accessible cycling in Ireland, with specialisation in traffic-free greenway routes for retirees.
Featured Work
Recent Articles & Guides
Educational resources on greenway cycling for older adults
Route Guide
Great Western Greenway: Complete Route Guide
Detailed guide to Ireland's longest greenway. Surface conditions, rest areas, accessibility features, and what to expect from each section of the 42km route.
Route Guide
Old Rail Trail: Athlone to Mullingar
Exploring the converted railway route across the Irish Midlands. A scenic, flat greenway perfect for older cyclists looking for a peaceful ride away from traffic.
Route Guide
Déise Greenway: Waterford's Best Kept Cycling Secret
A hidden gem in County Waterford that doesn't get enough attention. Beautiful scenery, flat terrain, and a welcoming cycling community for retirees.
Interested in Accessible Cycling?
Síle's educational materials are designed to help older adults discover the joys of flat, traffic-free cycling. Explore routes, build confidence, and join a growing community of retiree cyclists across Ireland.