Bike share scheme for Sligo is on the cards
Sligo town may soon have a station-less bike share scheme.
The initiative, operated by Drumcliffe-based company Eco Travel, came before Sligo County Council’s November meeting last Monday after Eco Travel requested permission to operate a pilot scheme in Sligo town. If implemented, users could undertake journeys across Sligo town on a bike with rental costs as little as €1 an hour. It would be the first of its kind in a provincial town in Ireland.
Calling on the council to give Eco Travel the go-ahead, Cllr Declan Bree welcomed the request and said Eco Travel had already installed public Bike Share Schemes for South Dublin County Council and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, as well as private schemes for Dublin City University and University College Dublin.
Cllr Bree said: “The BleeperBike share scheme does not require any docking stations, as all the technology is built into the bike and its locking system. The scheme utilises existing public and private bike stands, thus allowing for a fast roll out without requiring any civil works or additional costs.
“The sourcing, rental, unlocking and locking is all controlled by a mobile phone app which users can download free of charge.
“I understand that rental costs are from as little as €1 per hour or an annual subscription is also available for just €75”
“The BleeperBike system is easy to use and cheap to operate and will encourage members of the public and tourists alike to use a bike for the shorter journeys across Sligo.”
The proposal was backed by several councillors, with Cllr Thomas Healy saying it was a “great idea” and could potentially be extended to Ballisodare and Collooney in time. Cllr Hubert Keaney said there were two bikes available in Drumcliffe over last summer and they proved very popular with the local community.
Director of Infrastructure, Environment and Fire Services Tom Kilfeather said that a meeting has been organised to discuss the project further, and another company has also expressed an interest in a similar type of initiative. Meetings will take place in the coming days, he said, and an update will be delivered thereafter.