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 |