Labour TD for Limerick City and Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O’Sullivan, today welcomed the announcement of a city bike scheme for Limerick City.
The announcement was made today (Friday 20th September) by her Labour colleague, Minister for Public Transport, Alan Kelly, TD.
The city bike scheme, which has proved incredibly successful in Dublin, will now be extended to Limerick, Galway and Cork.
Speaking at the launch Minister O’Sullivan said, “The city bike scheme has been in operation in Dublin since 2009 and it is a terrific scheme. It was promoted by my Labour colleagues on Dublin City Council and despite the naysayers at the time, the scheme has proved to be one of the most popular bike rental schemes in Europe.
“I’m delighted that Limerick will now benefit from the scheme. It encourages short-term bike hire in the city centre area and has the capacity to reduce traffic congestion in the city. It’s an affordable, healthy way to spin around the city and I’m sure that the bikes will soon be an integral part of Limerick life.
The roll out of the schemes is being made possible following an agreement by Coca-Cola Ireland to partner with the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport, the NTA and the Cities of Cork, Galway and Limerick.
“The only way this scheme could work was if there was a private sector partner to support it. Therefore I am delighted to announce that Coca-Cola Ireland will be the partner for the scheme. Now we will have one of the world’s best marketing companies, not only investing financially in the scheme but also actively engaged in cycling promotion and provision in Ireland”, said Minister Kelly.
Cyclists will be able to take or leave the bikes at various locations around the city at a low cost or free of charge, and the scheme will be operational in July 2014.
The news follows a commitment for Government to examine the feasibility of such projects similar to the Dublin bike schemes in other cities.
“The Dublin experience also proves that bike schemes are very popular with tourists who want to explore the city on two wheels. Establishing a bike scheme in Limerick is good news for tourism, especially as the city prepares for 2014 and City of Culture events”, added Minister O’Sullivan.
