Minister Donohoe launches Coca-Cola Zero Bikes scheme in Galway

24th November, 2014

Coca-Cola Zero Bikes rolled out with the help of Hector Ó hEochagáin

Bikes will go live in Limerick on December 8th & Cork on December 18th

Minister for Transport Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, was today (Monday) joined by Hugh Creegan, Deputy CEO of the National Transport Authority, Frank O’Donnell, General Manager of Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland and Hector Ó hEochagáin, TV and radio personality at Eyre Square to officially launch the Coca-Cola Zero Bikes in Galway. Today’s launch will be closely followed by a launch in Limerick (December 8) and Cork (December 18).

When the scheme is fully complete there will be 19 stations and 195 bikes located throughout Galway city. The scheme is set to benefit tourists, commuters and leisure bike users alike.

Speaking at the launch today, Minister Donohoe said: ‘The launch of the Coca-Cola Zero Bikes scheme today in Galway is exciting for the city and for those who have been awaiting the roll-out of the initiative beyond Dublin. The success of this scheme in the capital has been remarkable, with a recent doubling of the number of stations and a trebling of the number of bikes to meet demand’.

“The regional launch of this scheme, when complete, will see730 bikes available for hire; 195 in Galway, 215 in Limerick and 320 in Cork. It is anticipated that each bike will be used three times per day on average, generating over 750,000 trips in the scheme’s first year of operation. This means fewer cars on the roads, an increase in the use of a more sustainable mode of transport and health benefits for participants.

“Through the NTA, my Department has provided funding of €5.1 million for the three regional schemes, and depending on their success, we will be looking at extending to other cities in the future. In a bid to encourage more people in Galway to leave the car at home and hop on a bike, close to €3 million was allocated last year under the Regional Cities Programme to promote cycling, walking and increased use of public transport. It funded the installation and upgrading of cycle parking at Bearna, Moycullen, Oranmore and Clare-Galway; a network of signed cycle routes for the Galway Metropolitan Area; and progress on the Threadneedle Road Cycleway, the Bearna Greenway and the Tuam Road/Joyce Road Junction.

“The Coca-Cola Zero Bikes scheme offers excellent value for money and allows people to glean all the benefits from cycling without ever having to own their own bike. I have no doubt that the people of Galway will embrace the scheme in the same way Dubliners have and I look forward to the opening of Cork and Limerick schemes in weeks ahead.”

The National Transport Authority and Coca-Cola are calling on the people of Galway to sign up for Coca-Cola Bikes at www.bikeshare.ie to receive an annual subscription for €5.  This special offer extends to the end of 2014. When a bike user registers for an annual subscription they will receive a welcome pack in the post containing details of how to use the scheme and a subscription card.

Hugh Creegan, Deputy CEO of the National Transport Authority said: “The public bikes concept has proved extremely popular over the past 5 years in Dublin and we are delighted to commence the national rollout of the scheme – starting here in Galway today. We’ll be in Limerick and Cork in the next few weeks, making Ireland one of very few countries with such a spread of city bike schemes.   From Eyre Square, to Spanish Arch and Galway Cathedral, we’ve located the Coca-Cola Zero bike stations conveniently throughout the city to ensure the best possible experience for tourists, commuters and leisure users alike. We are grateful to the local authorities for all their assistance and support in the development of the infrastructure on the ground.”

In May of this year the An Rothar Nua consortium was awarded the contract for the provision of public bike schemes in the cities of Cork, Galway and Limerick by the National Transport Authority, with capital funding of the schemes being provided by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

Coca-Cola’s partnership for the regional schemes made the roll out possible with an almost €3m investment over the next five years.

Frank O’Donnell, General Manager of Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland said: “Coca-Cola dublinbikes has become one of the most successful public bike schemes in the world with more than 8 million bike journeys to date and a record high of 15,441 journeys in just one day recently. It is clear that the ease of accessibility of the bikes is facilitating and encouraging activity amongst the general public – something that Coca-Cola is committed to helping make happen.

“We are delighted that starting today in Galway, people in other cities in Ireland will have the opportunity to participate in a public share bike scheme. Based on the experience in Dublin we know that the bikes will help users incorporate exercise into their daily lives.”

To register today for an annual subscription to Coca-Cola Zero Bikes log onto www.bikeshare.ie

For Customer Care, please dial 0818 44 44 77. This can be used for customers seeking assistance or further information on the scheme. Additionally, there are Android and iPhone Apps which are available on the Google Play store now and from Apple iTunes Store this week.

ENDS

Photography will be issued by Andrew Downes and is available upon request from:

Suzanne Sullivan: suzanne@q4pr.ie

Colin Taylor: colin@q4pr.ie

 

Bike station locations

Galway Bike Stations: 19 Stations

Name Ainm Number of Docks
University Road(Under review) Bóthar na hOllscoile 30
Headford Road Bóthar Áth Cinn 25
Cathedral Ardeaglais 20
Wood Quay Cé an Adhmaid 20
County Hall Áras an Chontae 14
City Hall Halla na Cathrach 20
Newtownsmith Baile Nua Mhic Gabhann 16
Brown Doorway Doras De Brun 25
Tourist Office(Postponed to early 2015 due to other roadworks at this location) Oifig Turasóireachta 20
Mainguard Street Sráid an Príomhgharda 20
City Library Leabharlann na Cathrach 15
Merchants Gate Geata na gCeannaithe 25
Fairgreen Faiche an Aonaigh 17
Claddagh Basin Báisín na Cladach 20
Spanish Arch An Póirse Caoch 30
New Dock Street Sráid an nDuganna Nua 20
Gaol Road Bóthar an Phríosúin 20
Father Burke Road Bóthar an Athar De Búrca 20
Eyre Square South An Fhaiche Mhór Theas 10

 

 

Limerick Bike Stations: 23 Stations

Name Ainm Number of Docks
The Treaty Stone Cloch an Chonartha 20
King John’s Castle Caisleán Luimnigh 20
Saint Mary’s Cathedral Ardeaglais Mhuire 20
Island Road Junction Acomhal Bhóthar an Oileáin 20
The Granary An Ghráinseach 28
Abbey Bridge Droichead na Mainistreach 20
O’Callaghan Strand Trá Uí Cheallacháin 20
Bedford Row Rae Bedford 15
Arthur’s Quay Cé Artúir 25
The Milk Market Margadh an Bhainne 20
Saint John’s Cathedral Ardeaglais Eoin 10
Newtown Mahon Baile Nua Uí Mhathúna 20
Bishop’s Quay Cé an Easpaig 12
O’Connell Street Sráid Uí Chonaill 15
Roches Street Sráid an Róistigh 20
Baker Place Plás an Bháicéaraigh 25
The Crescent An Corrán 20
Pery Square Cearnóg Pery 25
Colbert Station Stáisiún Cholbaird 20
Mount Saint Alphonsus Cnocán San Alfonsas 10
O’Connell Avenue Ascaill Uí Chonaill 20
Mary Immaculate College Coláiste Mhuire Gan Smál 20
Mount Saint Vincent Cnocán Naomh Uinseann 20

 

 

 

 

Cork Bike Stations: 31 Stations

Name Ainm Number of Docks
Gaol Walk Siúlán an Phríosúin 30
Fitzgerald’s Park Páirc an Ghearaltaigh 15
Bandfield Páirc na mBanna 33
Dyke Parade Paráid na Díge 20
Mercy Hospital Ospidéal na Trócaire 15
St. Fin Barre’s Bridge Droichead Fhionnbarra 25
Griffith Bridge Droichead Uí Ghríofa 20
North Main St. An Phríomhshráid Thuaidh 15
Grattan St. Sráid Grattan 10
Wandesford Quay Cé Wandesford 25
Bishop St. Sráid an Easpaig 15
Camden Quay Cé Camden 20
Corn Market St. Sráid Mhargadh an Arbhair 25
Lapp’s Quay Cé Lapp 30
St. Patricks St. Sráid Naomh Pádraig 20
South Main St. An Phríomhshráid Theas 10
Grand Parade Sráid an Chapaill Bhuí 20
Peace Park Páirc na Síochána 20
South Gate Bridge Droichead an Gheata Theas 15
Coburg St. Sráid Coburg 30
Emmet Place Plás Emmet 20
South Mall An Meal Theas 30
College of Commerce Coláiste Tráchtála 30
Father Mathew Statue Dealbh an tAthar Mhaitiú 15
Cork School of Music Coláiste Cheoil Chorcaí 15
Brian Boru Bridge Droichead Bhriain Bóirmhe 10
Bus Station Stáisiún na mBus 20
City Hall Halla na Cathrach 15
Lower Glanmire Rd. Bóthar Ghleann Maghair Íochtarach 30
Clontarf Street Sráid Chluain Tarbh 10
Kent Station Stáisiún Ceannt 30