New “Bleeper” bikes are launching in Trinity today in an attempt to encourage cycling among staff and students.
The bikes are available to rent on a per-ride basis, and they can be left at designated parking spaces on campus or around Dublin. Bike spaces are located on Library Square and behind the Pavilion Bar. Stations are also available on Nassau Street, Westland Row and Suffolk Street.
Speaking to Trinity News, Health Promotion Officer Martina Mullen outlined that Trinity had seen an 8% drop in cycling since 2011 and explained that the housing crisis and unsafe cycling facilities may be a factor in the decrease. “While we can’t address these broader issues, we hope that by making bikes so cheaply accessible, Bleeper Bike can encourage more of our community back to cycling,” said Mullen.
“Trinity loves cycling. We have double the cycling of the average at third level and far surpass national targets for cycling. But the cost of buying a bike puts some students off,” Mullen continued, noting that the new rental bikes are “a great way to experience how fast and free cycling is without having to pay up front”.
A one-hour ride costs 80 cent until December. Next year, the cost is expected to rise to €1 per hour.
College installed new bike racks beside the Old Library before the start Michaelmas Term, which are now in use by both private bikes and Bleeper bikes. The new racks, which were jointly funded by Trinity and the National Transport Authority (NTA), were welcomed by student cyclists as an alternative option to attaching bikes to fences on Front Square.
According College’s Sustainability Report 2017, which was released this summer, only 3% of Trinity staff and students travel by car. 28% walk and 14% cycle, while the remainder use public buses, trains, or the Luas.
College has also invited students to voice their opinions on Dublin’s cycle routes by submitting to Dublin City Council’s public consultation. The Council has proposed the new Fitzwilliam Cycle Route, a protected cycle way which would run from Fitzwilliam Place to
Merrion Square.
The launch of the new rental bikes is taking place at 1pm today outside the Old Library.
