Council could introduce public bike scheme for Navan once infrastructure is complete

A SHARED public bike scheme, similar to that operating in Dublin, is on the cards for Navan.

Meath County Council has confirmed it has engaged with several bike sharing companies to identify suitable locations for when sufficient cycling infrastructure is in place to support a bike sharing scheme.

Cllr Emer Tóibín had asked at a meeting of Navan Municipal District Council last week that the Council roll out a public bike scheme across Navan town on a trial basis and if successful, broaden its availability to other towns across the county “in a bid to underpin current active travel strategy and ease growing traffic congestion.”

She was told that while there were plans for a bike sharing scheme, it needed to be at a time when sufficient infrastructure was in place to make it attractive to the companies that would operate such a scheme.

Cllr Tóibín said great progress was being made on cycling lanes and infrastructure.

“Great work has been done and now is a really good time to raise the profile of Navan by rolling out such a scheme.

“Traffic congestion is a problem now. I’m not talking about launching a full scheme, but maybe 10 bicycles on a trial basis, to get people cycling,” she said.

“It would get the message out that Meath County Council is serious about active travel and would get people seriously thinking about cycling.

“There have been recent reports which show that girls in particular are reluctant to cycle to school and this is one way of encouraging it.

“It is ridiculous so many people are dropping their children to the doors of their schools.

“If we get the bikes out there, I believe there will be a massive take up,” she said.

Cllr Tommy Reilly said there should be a trial scheme immediately, rather than having parents dropping children to the school door. “In other areas where this has been introduced, it has been very successful and we have some great cycling lanes in Johnstown,” he said.

Cllr Tóibín was told that in light of the disruption which will result from the delivery of ongoing projects in Navan, the Transportation Department believes it is premature to roll out a bike share pilot at this stage.

“The Council is at various stages of rolling out cycling infrastructure in Navan, coupled with the works being undertaken as part of the Navan 2030 project. The presence of high-quality bicycle infrastructure is crucial to participation in cycling more generally and also for the operation of bike-sharing schemes. The Council believe that it is essential to create a quality system of bikes and bike infrastructure that provides a real alternative to other, more carbon-intensive modes.

“Shared mobility, including bike-sharing schemes, will play a vital role in Navan and the county, to reduce congestion on our roads, CO2 emissions and the environmental impact of traveling."

“It can provide a flexible alternative for households living in urban areas, individuals seeking first and last-mile connections to public transportation, and those without access to a private vehicle trying to reach jobs and essential services."

Cllr Tóibín was told the council was engaging with bike share operators with a view to rolling out a scheme when the infrastructure was in place.

“Public transport and active mobility is at the core of the Council’s transport strategy and the active travel officer has been travelling around schools encouraging children to use their bicycles.”