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Symposium looks at feasibility of a bike-rental scheme for Waterford cityThe prospect of a city-bike scheme for Waterford city was the subject of an important symposium organised in Waterford today.
Business interests, elected representatives, members of the public and civic society today joined Minister for Public and Commuter Transport Alan Kelly and CEO of the NTA Gerry Murphy at Waterford’s Public Bike Symposium.
The Symposium today is the second of four[1] taking place following the announcement on 3 November by An Taoiseach and Minister Kelly of the Government’s commitment to exploring the rollout of a public bike scheme to regional cities.
A recently published report commissioned by the NTA found that a bike scheme in Waterford is feasible at a scale of between 80-100 bikes at 10 docking stations but will require both public and private funding for it to be delivered.
Speaking today, Minister Kelly said: "Today’s symposium is important to articulate all the issues for Waterford, assess the local appetite for a bike scheme, have an informed discussion around funding, site a scheme within Waterford’s infrastructure development plans, and bring the views of Waterford’s key stakeholders to the table. The Government has given a clear signal that the Programme for Government commitment to explore bringing public bike schemes to our regional cities will be fully implemented. In the current economic climate, Exchequer support to fund a scheme for Waterford is necessarily constrained, so we are seeking private sector partnership to make this a reality."
At today’s symposium, Gerry Murphy, CEO of the National Transport Authority (NTA) outlined the potential for a public bike scheme in Waterford indicating that "Waterford has a population of around 60,000 including approximately 14,000 students. The study we commissioned recommends a scheme with 80-100 bikes over 10 docking stations within the city centre and along a route out to Waterford IT which follows Tycor Road and Browns Road also servicing the area of Lismore Park.".
Minister Kelly said: "Waterford is well served with innovative, space-efficient cycle parking in the main retail area of the city centre but Waterford City Council has confirmed that cycle flows in the city are generally low. The 2006 census found that just 2% of residents accessed employment or further education by bike. We have to change this. Investment in the necessary infrastructure is happening. Under the Jobs Initiative, this Government has allocated €535,000 to cycle-related projects in Waterford, including €500,000 for the upgrade of cycle tracks, bus routes & pedestrian crossings, €15,000 for cycle & pedestrian way finding signage and €20,000 for cycle network improvements. Now we just have to get more people back on their bikes!"
Two reports on the feasibility of rolling public bikes schemes to our regional cities were commissioned by the National Transport Authority. One, a technical report considering the potential scope and on-the-ground logistics of schemes in each city and the other, a commercial report considering funding, cost and revenue analysis and options. Reports are available at http://nationaltransport.ie/downloads/Technical-Report-and-Potential-for-Waterford.pdf