Galway Bike Scheme will help foster culture of cycling – Cannon

Fine Gael Galway Deputy, Minister of State at the Department of Education and cycling enthusiast, Ciarán Cannon, has welcomed the announcement today (Friday) of a Galway Bike Scheme, similar to the one that is in operation in Dublin, which he says will promote an enhanced culture of cycling in Galway and add significantly to the city for both tourists and locals alike.

“The Dublin Bike Scheme, which has been in operation now for a number of years has been hailed as one of the most successful bike schemes in Europe. The fact that a similar initiative has been announced today for Galway, Limerick and Cork is fantastic news and will help to encourage more people to hop on a bike and adopt a healthier lifestyle.

“The Scheme, which is the first of its kind in Galway, is being run in conjunction with the Department of Transport, the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Coca-Cola, who won the tender to partner the scheme. The Scheme will allow people to pick-up and drop off bikes at different docking locations either free of charge or for a small charge. With 185 bikes to be made available at 19 docking stations throughout Galway, I have no doubt this will add huge value to the city and the future success of the scheme.

“Galway is the perfect place to cycle around and take in the sights. With our relatively flat terrain and the spectacular scenery, what better way to take in all that Galway has to offer than on a bike. It is estimated that cycling has increased in Dublin by 40% since the introduction of the Dublin Bike Scheme and I am hopeful that we can replicate that level of success in Galway.

“A free bike-share scheme, such as this, will not only incentivise visitors to the city to explore Galway on two wheels, it will also encourage the local community to cycle to and from work and to use the bikes for shorter, cross-city journeys. This gentle, easing into cycling, for those who may have considered the bike as a potential convenient way of getting around in the past, could act as a catalyst to get people to adopt cycling as their primary and permanent mode of transport.

“We are leading increasingly sedentary lifestyles, which see many of us sitting in front of computer screens all day long. Cycling is a fantastic stress reliever and in many cases is the fastest and cheapest way of getting from A to B. Added to that, it helps to keep us fit and in better form. As a self-professed cycling fanatic, I cannot stress the positive impact cycling can have on one’s life. I am thrilled that this Scheme is being brought to Galway and look forward to seeing it up and running by summer next year.”

Ends