Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2011
553 Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the city bicycle scheme; when the scheme might be extended to Waterford; his plans for the scheme in Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29561/11]
View answerRecognising the success of the Dublin bikes scheme, the Programme for Government commits my Department to look to extend the scheme to other cities and integrate the scheme more effectively with public transport links.
The National Transport Authority has, at my request, had an initial analysis of the potential for similar bikes schemes in the regional cities carried out. My Department and the NTA are currently considering the findings of that analysis including how to address key issues identified such as the changed commercial environment to that pertaining when the Dublin bikes scheme was negotiated and different characteristics of scheme provision in smaller cities. I am committed to exploring a range of mechanisms to seek to secure public bike schemes in other cities and work is ongoing in that regard. However I will keep the Deputy informed of all ongoing developments relating to city bike schemes.
