Bike scheme expands across Northside

NEW Just Eat dublinbikes stations were opened in Smithfield and Grangegorman last week in the latest expansion of the popular scheme.

A total of 15 new stations have been added to the network under the expansion, which will bring the total up to 116.

Another 100 bikes have also been brought in meaning there are now 1,600 available for use.

The new stations were official launched by Dublin Lord Mayor, Mícheál Mac Donncha, and they include locations at George’s Lane, Smithfield, and three in Grangegorman Lower at St Brendan’s Way, the Clock Tower and Ivy Avenue.

The dublinbikes scheme is one of the most successful public bike share schemes in the world.

Figures published in February show there are 67,890 long-term members and since launching in 2009 there have been 22,417,162 journeys. Almost all (96 percent) of journeys taken are free and the average journey time for users is just 14 minutes.

Minister of Finance and local Dublin Central TD, Paschal Donohoe, spoke at the launch of the new stations.

“When it was first launched in 2009, no-one could have envisaged the future success of the Just Eat dublinbikes scheme,” he said.

“With more than 22 million journeys taken since that time, their addition to the Dublin transport landscape has been transformative.

“I am delighted that Dublin Central is benefitting to such an extent, with the launch of 15 additional stations here today. The locations chosen, with their proximity to the city centre, make them ideal.

“What’s more, the inclusion of three stations at Grangegorman will provide excellent alternative transport for the thousands of students attending at DIT.

“I commend everyone for their work in the further roll-out of the scheme and look forward to the continuation of that work in the years to come.”

CEO of the National Transport Authority, Anne Graham, said bike share projects such as the dublinbikes scheme have been a great success story.

“We have seen mode share for cyclists increase dramatically in the Dublin city centre area from 2.3 percent in 2006 to six percent in 2016.

“The Just Eat dublinbikes scheme has played a significant role in getting people to shift to sustainable modes, and particularly to cycling.

“The National Transport Authority is delighted to continue to support Dublin City Council by providing a sustainable transport grant of €1.2m to support this expansion of the scheme.”

Assistant Chief Executive with Dublin City Council, Richard Shakespeare, described the expansion of the Just Eat dublinbikes scheme as “great news” for the city.

“With the continued support of the National Transport Authority, the strategic expansion to Grangegorman will be of great benefit to residents, workers and students in the area and will further support the growth of cycling in the city,” he said.

The Lord Mayor thanked those who were the supporting dublinbikes scheme.

“I would like to congratulate everyone involved with this project, including Dublin City Council, JCDecaux Ireland, Just Eat and the National Transport Authority who provided funding for the scheme,” he said.