Time to get on your bike for Cork’s new scheme

From the People’s Republic to the Pedal Republic — Cork’s first public bike scheme went live yesterday, half-finished and six months late.

Fifteen of the city’s 31 new docking stations were turned on at noon, with a steady flow of users. They were: Gaol Walk, Fitzgerald Park, Bandfield, Dyke Parade, Mercy Hospital, St Fin Barre’s Bridge, Wandesford Quay, Bishop St, Camden Quay, Cornmarket St, South Main St, South Gate Bridge, Coburg St, College of Commerce, and outside the Cork School of Music.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) defended the two-phase launch of the scheme and said work on the remaining 16 stations will resume in January after a roadworks moratorium is lifted.

“Given the size of the Cork scheme, comprising 31 bike stations in total — almost double the size of Galway — it is intended to open the scheme in two phases, of 15- and 16-bike stations respectively,” a spokesperson said.

It is hoped the remaining stations will be operational by February, with the scheme then providing a total of 330 bikes for rental across the city.

Despite the delays, there was a broad welcome for the scheme, with UCC student Renee Stam, from the Netherlands, among the first to saddle up. “It is great that this system is here in Cork. The bikes are really nice and easy to use. They will be great for travelling between the university and the city centre.”

The NTA released figures yesterday which show that 561 people have already registered for the Coca-Cola Zero-sponsored scheme in Cork.

In Limerick, where the scheme launched 11 days ago, the 1,035 registered users had by yesterday recorded 342 rentals.

In Galway, where the scheme launched on November 24, the 1,340 registered users have recorded 1,518 rentals.

NTA boss Hugh Creegan said he has no doubt that figures for the Cork scheme — the largest bike share scheme outside Dublin — will improve over the over the coming weeks.

“It’s an exciting and dynamic scheme, which has proved extremely popular over the past five years in Dublin, and in Galway and Limerick over the past few weeks,” he said. “We are confident that people living in, working in, and visiting Cork will really enjoy this new option that is now available to them for getting around the city.”

Frank O’Donnell, general manager of Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland, said the uptake in Galway and Limerick has been great. “I’m sure the scheme will be just as popular here in Cork,” he said.

The NTA awarded the contract for the rollout of the Cork, Limerick, and Galway schemes to the Rothar Nua consortium, with capital funding of €5.1m provided by the Department of Transport.

Coca-Cola is investing almost €3m in sponsorship over the next five years.

You can register for an annual subscription fee of €5 before the end of the year. This special offer expires on January 1, when the fee increases to €10.

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