Vol. 558 No. 1
391 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he supports the policy of bike and ride in relation to rail travel; the financial support and bicycle parking facilities, both covered and secured which will be required from Iarnród Éireann; and the timeframe for this policy. [23605/02]
I fully support bike and ride initiatives in the public transport arena, which makes it easier for a prospective user of such services.
A range of initiatives have been taken by Iarnród Éireann in recent years to support the development of bike and ride. These include: the development of cycle parks – these are lock-up storerooms for bicycles where the cyclist pays a deposit for a key to the lock-up – there are seven stations to date which can offer this facility in the Dublin area; and the provision of cycle racks which cyclists can use to store bicycles while they commute the rest of their journey by rail. I have been advised that this service is available at 15 stations in the Dublin area. In addition, as part of the financial support provided for the redevelopment programme at Heuston Station, there will be a facility for 250 bicycles utilising stanley racks in a secure location within the car park, monitored by CCTV. The company further informs me that, as refurbishment of stations takes place throughout the country, it is its policy that provision will be made for the parking of bicycles as a matter of course.
