New public bike scheme to be wheeled out

The initial plans are for the provision of 185 bikes at 19 different docking stations across the city with tenders to be sought from early next month, the Galway City Tribune has learned.

It is envisaged that the contract for the scheme will be signed in early December with a provisional July, 2014, start-up date.

A main sponsor for the scheme is expected to be announced at the launch of the public bikes scheme later this morning in Limerick city by Minister Alan Kelly.

Schemes for Cork and Limerick will also be publicly unveiled by the Minister when the main sponsors of the projects will be announced, expected to be from the food/soft drinks industry.

The capital cost of providing the scheme in Galway is estimated to be in the region of €1.7 million with a €4m ‘operational cost’ over the ensuing 15 year period.

Rental prices for the bikes will be pitched at quite a low level, probably with an annual membership of €10, similar to the Dublin charges.

A small usage charge will also apply with a three day cost probably working out in the region of €2.

Mayor of Galway, Cllr. Padráig Conneely, welcomed the initiative for the city, describing it as a measure that could be ideally suited to a city of Galway’s size.

For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.