More than 1,800 people have joined the Galway Bike Scheme, taking some 11,200 journeys by bike in first five months of 2015, but the success of the scheme is highlighting the need for more cycle lanes in the city.
This is the view of Fine Gael Galway West TD Seán Kyne who has welcomed the Galway Bike Scheme statistics which were provided to him by the National Transport Authority on foot of a Dáil Question to the Transport Minister, Paschal Donohoe.
The figures reveal that usage of the bike station at City Hall is the most popular among the 15 stations across the city, with the Cathedral and Father Burke Road stations the next most popular. Overall, the statistics reveal that the stations with the greatest usage are located on the periphery of the current area served by the scheme.
As a result, Dep Kyne said this indicates a need for expansion of the scheme to Salthill, Knocknacarra, Renmore, and Mervue. The National Transport Authority is currently examining a further four locations for the bike scheme. He also said the level of take-up of the scheme is an argument in favour of making the city centre "more bike-friendly" with cycle lanes, contra-flow cycle lanes, and other infrastructure. Dep Kyne has said he will raise these issues with the Galway City Council.
“I’ve always believed that a city bike rental scheme would prove successful in Galway," he said. "I’m encouraged that before the end of the year the NTA intend on carrying out a review on the possibility of expanding the Galway Bikes Scheme.”
