UHK Opens New Staff Cycle Hub and Achieves Smarter Travel Mark Certification
University Hospital Kerry (UHK) is delighted to announce the official opening of its new Staff Cycle Hub, coinciding with the hospital’s achievement of the NTA Smarter Travel Mark Certification, a first for County Kerry.
The state-of-the-art cycle hub, designed with staff needs and sustainable travel in mind, was inaugurated on the 15th of May 2025 in a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Shane Hayes, Senior Smarter Travel
Officer from the National Transport Authority (NTA), who presented the Smarter Travel Mark plaque to UHK representatives.
The development of the Staff Cycle Hub is the culmination of over a year of planning and collaboration, led by the UHK Green Team and supported by the UHK Executive Management Team (EMT).
The initiative was driven by findings from a 2023 Smarter Travel Staff Survey, which highlighted the need for secure and accessible cycling facilities. Funded through a partnership between the National Transport Authority (NTA) and the HSE Climate Action Office, the new hub provides:
• Secure parking for 40 bicycles, including spaces for cargo and adaptive bikes.
• Access via staff swipe card for added security.
• Weather-protected and convenient facilities that encourage sustainable commuting.
The new Cycle Hub not only supports active travel but also contributes to UHK’s wider goals of reducing carbon emissions, alleviating car park congestion, and promoting staff well-being through active commuting.
“We are proud to be the first in Kerry to receive the NTA Smarter Travel Mark, and the opening of this cycle hub is just the beginning of our commitment to sustainable travel and climate action,” said Mary
Fitzgerald, Hospital Manager/Head of Service at UHK, adding that the facility reflects UHK’s dedication to a healthier, greener community.
To mark the occasion, a tour of the new cycle hub facilities was held for attendees, alongside an Active Travel Information Stand in the UHK Restaurant, offering information on cycling safety, walking,
and other sustainable travel options.
For further information on Travel and Access to UHK, Visit: Getting Here & Parking
Cycle Hub Launch 15th May 2025
Pictured: Breda Moriarty KCC Environmental Awareness Officer; Declan Keogh, KCC Road Safety Officer; Damien Moyles, UHK Operations Manager; Aileen Fitzgerald, HSE Regional Sustainability Officer; Mary Fitzgerald UHK General Manager; Shane Hayes NTA Senior Officer Smarter Travel Mark; Brita Allen UHK Hygiene and Waste Manager; Elaine Egan UHK Health and Safety Officer.
