Sixteen sites identified for new Galway public bicycle scheme

Some sixteen sites throughout the city are being suggested as possible locations for ‘docking stations’ for the proposed Galway bike scheme.  

The Galway scheme, to be run by the National Transport Authority and Galway City Council, will be similar to the successful public bike scheme in operation in Dublin.

A City Council spokesperson confirmed that it is hoped the scheme in Galway will be up and running in time for next Summer.

The exact details of the number of bicycles for hire in the scheme, and the number and locations of the ‘docking stations’ in Galway have yet to be finalised.

The public will be given a chance to give their input into those questions at this week’s workshop.

The Council, on its website, has issued a map of Galway with 16 suggested sites for docking stations.

Among the areas identified as having potential for a docking station are Spanish Parade, outside Galway City Library on St Augustine Street, Prospect Hill opposite County Hall, at City Hall, at Eyre Square and along University Road.

A spokesperson stressed that these were just suggestions and not set in stone. “They may not be suitable and we may add other sites before it is rolled out,” he said.

The NTA is involved in funding the scheme and it is understood it is still seeking to engage with private companies regarding sponsorship deals to part fund the Galway Bikes Scheme. 

The scheme in Dublin is basically a self-service bike rental scheme. There are 44 bike terminals or stations dotted all over Dublin with 550 bikes in total. Users of the bikes must register using their credit card details but the first half an hour of usage on the bikes is free. Three-day rental of bikes cost just €2 and the ‘long-term’ rental costs €10.

The bikes can be returned to any of the terminals after using them. The scheme in Dublin has been very successful since its introduction a couple of years ago – a record 5,874 journeys were made on the bikes one day in March of last year.

Meanwhile, NUI Galway is also planning its own ‘bike share’ scheme for use of students on campus.

Full details of the scheme, which is expected to be a smaller version of the Dublin Bike Scheme, have yet to be unveiled but a spokesperson for the university said that it is ‘in train’.

The NUI Galway scheme is not commissioned yet but it is hoped that it will be up and running in time for the upcoming term, starting in September.

The scheme, to be known as ‘Spin’, is expected to have in the region of 45 bikes and nine docking stations across campus.

Only students and staff initially will be allowed to use the scheme, which is being piloted for one year and is funded by the university. It may be extended to the general public in future.

The bikes will be available to use 24-hours.