It has just been announced by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council that the first pilot bike scheme is to be introduced in the County by early November.
A total of 100 bikes will be deployed during the lifetime of the pilot scheme across the County with 40 bikes being rolled out initially at various locations. Councillor Cormac Devlin welcomed the announcement of the pilot scheme.
The pilot bike scheme will be available across the entire County.
20 bikes will be located on the East side of the County at; Dún Laoghaire Town (LexIcon), Blackrock, Dalkey, Shankill, Deansgrange & Killiney DART station.
Dun Laoghaire Lexicon Library = 5
Blackrock Main Street = 5
Dalkey Village = 4
Killiney Village = 2
Shankill Village = 2
Deansgrange = 2
Total 20
The West side of the County will also have 20 bikes at the following locations; Cabinteely village, Dundrum village, Stillorgan, Sandyford, Stepaside & Meadowbrook Leisure Centre.
Cabinteely Village = 2
Sandyford Business District = 5
Dundrum car park near the Town centre = 5
Stillorgan Village = 4
Meadowbrook Leisure centre = 2
Stepaside Village = 2
Total 20
Commenting on the announcement, Cllr. Devlin said "This pilot scheme is something that Councillors from all parties have been calling on the Council to introduce for many years. It is not only a very environmentally friendly and sustainable form of transport but it is scheme that has proven to be popular right across the globe. I am excited to hear the feedback from the public."
"There are thousands of bike journeys made by bicycle every day across our County, the number of people cycling to work for example has dramatically increased over the last number of years so I believe this is a very positive step forward for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. Thankfully this pilot scheme won't require any bike stands or street clutter as this scheme operates using 'SMART' technology. Membership to this scheme can be paid for on an annual or quarterly basis via membership to the scheme with fees charged on an hourly rate that includes up to 4 free trips. There are 60 other bikes to be deployed to other locations so I would urge members of the public who may want a specific location included, then they should email environ@dlrcoco.ie" concluded Councillor Devlin.
Bleeperbike currently operated a broadly similar pilot bike share schemes in; South Dublin County Council, DCU and UCD. The key elements of this pilot are as follows:
1. Bleeperbike (the Operator) shall provide ‘Smart’ roadworthy bikes for the pilot with the bike share scheme fully operated by BleeperBike. An agreement shall be signed with BleeperBike prior to the commencement of the pilot.
2. A maximum of 100 bikes shall be used for the pilot with 40 bikes to be used at the commencement of the agreement at locations as follows: Other locations will be considred as the pilot proceeds
3. The operator shall advise members to only park at Sheffield stand type cycle parking and shall provide adequate resources to manage inappropriate bike parking and to deal with customer queries.
4. The membership pricing is based on 1-hour trips with annual or quarter year membership allowing for 4 free trips.
5. The Operator will be required to take out adequate Insurances for the duration of the pilot.
