Usage of Galway City bike scheme plummets by two thirds

From this week’s Galway City Tribune – Use of the bike share scheme plummeted by nearly two thirds last year, putting into doubt any future investment in an expansion as far as Salthill and Knocknacarra.

The number of users fell to as low as 71 last April and dropped below 100 on four different months throughout 2020 – the worst performance of any bike scheme in the country.

Figures released by the National Transport Authority (NTA) to the Social Democrats show there were just 5,400 users last year, down from 15,044 in 2019, when there was also a sharp decline in usage of 30 per cent.

That year the number of journeys was down over 11,800 to 27,190 just 12 months after it had experienced record growth levels.

The NTA has confirmed that it is planning to expand the bike schemes in Cork and Limerick and open a new scheme in Waterford this year – but there will be no improvements in Galway.

City Social Democrats councillor, Owen Hanley, has called on the NTA to investigate why Galway experienced such a significant drop.

“While 2020 saw user rates on the bike share scheme fall across the country Galway’s drop was the most severe. Covid-19 restrictions had a big impact on daily commuters so a decline was natural but there was also a significant increase in cyclists and bike usage overall. There has to be questions asked about whether the current scheme and it’s infrastructure is up to scratch at meeting the needs of residents.”
This is a shortened preview version of this article. To read the rest of the story, see this week’s Galway City Tribune. You can buy a digital edition HERE.