Planning on dusting off the bike this year?

As far as cheap and convenient methods of transport go, it doesn’t get better than cycling. In fact, research has found that cycling to the office can help reduce stress and improve your work performance, as well as boosting your health and helping to keep your weight in check.

All that and a hefty saving on petrol and diesel too. Result.

But if you haven’t hit town on two wheels in a while, you might be wondering where the best parking spots are.

Here’s the good news; these days you can check out the nearest bike parking locations online before you leave the house.

Whether you’re heading for the Marina for coffee and a stroll by the Atlantic Pond, to the Lough, Tramore Valley Park, Montenotte or Maryborough Woods, simply log on to Cork City Council’s handy Bike Stand Map and plan your trip.

If you live and work in Cork city you’ll be seeing an increase in cargo bikes on the roads this year too.

The cargo bike library project was one of 20 ideas to secure funding from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s Public Service Innovation Fund late last year.

Aimed at encouraging active travel and increasing the use of cargo bikes in the private and public sector, the project will see Cork City Council loan the bikes to local businesses for six months on a trial basis to see if they could be used as an alternative to less sustainable means of transport.

There are bike parking locations in every part of the city, so you can safely stow your wheels while you meet a mate for lunch, visit the doctor or dentist or run errands in the city.