Limerick's third level colleges 'should have public bike scheme'

NEW docking points for Limerick’s public bike scheme should be introduced at UL, LIT and the Crescent Shopping Centre.

That’s the view of Senator Maria Byrne, who says that although 215 bicycles are available across the city at 23 different locations more are needed.

She said: “I understand that Limerick City and County Council has committed to expanding the Coca Cola Zero bike scheme in Limerick. I feel that adding locations at or near to these places would encourage students to travel in and out of Limerick City on a regular basis at a low cost.”

Ms Byrne made the point that the most popular bike station in the city in 2015 was at Mary Immaculate College with 4,500 visits since it first opened.

This, she said, should illustrate the need for these stations at third level institutions.

“These are locations which encounter significant levels of footfall,” she pointed out.

Since being introduced in Limerick in 2014, the public bike scheme has been a big success, with more than 40,000 journeys undertaken by 2,300 subscribers last year alone.

Ms Byrne – a former member of the council’s transport committee – has called on Limerick’s local authority to outline a clear timeframe for when bike stations will be put in place at UL, LIT and the Crescent Shopping Centre.

“The scheme has massive potential to build on its successes if the roll out of stations at these locations is delivered. I intend to continue raising this issue with all concerned stakeholders in Limerick, she pledged.