Just two bikes ‘walk’ in rental scheme

JUST two bikes have gone missing since the rent-a-cycle-scheme was introduced in Dublin nearly seven months ago.

The ‘dublinbikes’ scheme allows members of the public to rent any of the 450 bikes from 40 stations around the inner city.

According to Dublin City Council, one bike was stolen from a person who had rented it out. The bike was later recovered in a damaged state.

In another incident, a bike was not returned within a 24-hour period and the person who had rented it out forfeited a €150 guarantee.

Shortly after the scheme was launched last September, one of the computerised stations was damaged when a car crashed into it.

Nobody was hurt in the accident that resulted in four of the electronic docking stands at the station being flattened.

Immediately after the incident, council workers began repairing the roadside devices at the Hardwicke Street station.

The silver unisex two-wheelers with their distinctive blue rear mudguards and baskets have become a common feature on the streets of the capital.

The council said the bikes, which have three gears, were especially designed for use in Dublin.

The scheme is the result of a public amenity contract between the local authority and advertising agency JC Decaux.

The firm is funding the €26.5m cost, in return for being allowed to place a maximum of 72 advertising hoardings around the city over a 15-year period. To date, 66 advertising sites have been used.

A spokesperson described the scheme as a huge success, suggesting it now has almost 20,000 long-term members. Almost 8,500 people have availed of the short-term three-day ticket.

Over 400,000 journeys have been made around the city on the bikes and there are 61 members per bike.

The shared bike scheme’s busiest days are Thursdays and Fridays. Sunday is the quietest. Around 95% of rentals are free because the bikes are used for under 30 minutes, which is the intention of the scheme.

Most long-term subscribers are men and around 60% are aged between 18 and 35 years.

A long-term hire card costs €10 a year while a three-day ticket is €2. Details on www.dublinbikes.ie.