While Ireland experienced reductions in transport emissions due to the wide-ranging behaviour changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, (SEAI, 2021) these reductions have not been sustained, and emissions have continued to rebound (EPA, 2025). As transport accounts for approximately 20% of Ireland’s total greenhouse gas emissions, achieving the national commitment of a 50% reduction of transport emissions by 2030 (EPA, 2025) requires a transformative approach. Achieving these targets requires large scale modal shifts to public and active travel, decarbonisation zones, significant decline in private car use and sustained remote working. The COVID-19 pandemic provides valuable insights into how rapidly behaviour can change, including changes pertaining to public transport behaviour, perceptions of safety across travel modes, and appreciation of socially necessary measures at a time of crisis. Thus, a study of travel and transport at this significant time can highlight strategies that may enforce transport behavioural change towards an uptake of sustainable transport. This research provides such a focus on travel and transport at a time of crisis, and in doing so addresses a knowledge gap by investigating how attitudes and behaviours can support a long-term reduction in transport emissions. Specifically, this research centres on bottom-up experiences of transport users coupled with top-down insights from stakeholders in the transport sector. The mixed-method approach adopted for this study utilised two rounds of online surveys (n = 314; n= 448) and 12 interviews with stakeholders in the transport sector to identify pathways for improving transport infrastructure and increasing sustainable transport behaviour. The results highlight a socio-demographic difference in the experience of safety for sustainable transport use in Ireland, particularly for women and older people. Furthermore, the results highlight the need for robust changes to the transport infrastructure in Ireland to support the perception that sustainable transport is safe, fast and inexpensive.