1 July 2015
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Clonakilty, West Cork is a town of firsts! The first to elect it’s own Community Mayor after the Government abolished Town Councils, and now its the first to have a community bike scheme.
Bicycle-docking stations have been installed at hotels in Clonakilty and the surrounding areas such of Inchydoney, Dunmore, Rosscarbery and Courtmacsherry.
Isn’t this working in Cork City already?
This is rural version of the popular bike rental initiatives seen in Cork City, Dublin and Galway, and indeed across mainland Europe, but it is the first rural scheme in Ireland according to it’s backers – who are mostly Hoteliers. There are just over 60 bicycles.
Renters will be provided with a helmets, high vis vest, and a map of scenic routes.
Costs
The scheme costs around €50,000, and the key sponsor is Clonakilty company Clona Dairy Products.
For the end-user the cost is €20 a year to register, and €1 euro an hour for the bike, after the first free hour.
More info
For more information on how to sign up visit ClonBike.com
Video
This week 60 locals cycled a lap of the town, twice!, to demonstrate the service.
