New e-bike scheme rolls out in Navan

TRAVEL Users can use the 'nextbike' service by downloading the app with over 50 bikes located across the town

The new bike sharing scheme which was launched in Navan by Meath Co Council and Tier, has been proving very popular with the public.

The NextBike service, which was launched last week, provides 25 push bikes, 25 electric bicycles and electric cargo bikes at various locations around the town. They are available for hire through an app.

The bike share scheme is part of the overall plan for sustainable and active travel for the town of Navan.

Users can use the 'nextbike by TIER' app to choose a bike to get to work, see friends or just go for a bike ride.

If they are heading to the shops or need to carry a larger load, they can pick an e-cargo bike which will be joining the system shortly.

Users must park the bikes at bike racks around the town centre. When travelling further away from the centre they can park the bikes to the side of the pavement, not obstructing any pathways, doors or stairways, in so called ‘flex zones’.

e-bikes are €1.50 for 30 minutes, push-bikes cost €1 for 30 minutes and the e-cargo-bikes are €1.50 for 30 minutes. Details of mandatory parking racks, parking bays and flex zones can be found in the nextbike by TIER app. All journeys need to be started and finished within the flex zone at one of the parking bays or selected bike stands.

Mayor of Navan, Cllr Edward Fennessy said: "This is a good news which will be a marvellous incentive in attracting extra tourists into the county, and it will also be of great assistance to residents as they move around the town doing their daily activities. The main purpose of the project is to encourage people to get out of their cars and start cycling. A review of the scheme will take place in 12 months’ time so I urge everyone to use these bikes as often as they can."

A similar trial began in Ashbourne in April.

Peadar Golden, Ireland Country Manager, TIER said: “It is our goal to make the transport transition as attractive as possible. This multimodal offering meets a wide range of needs and therefore makes it particularly easy for users to choose a sustainable and flexible mode of transport.

The scheme allows for people cycling into town for work or to connect with public transport. Users can take a bike in one location and leave it in a parking area at their destination.

The bikes are equipped with a lot of anti-vandalism features and GPS tracking and is tracked so we know where every vehicle is at any given time.

At a recent meeting councillors were told it would be a pilot scheme which would allow the council to understand the market, learn from it and tailor the exercise as they know more about it.Tier had 10 million customers in 33 countries and are already operating in Fingal County Council and Limerick city.

The bike share sccheme in Ashbourn, which was launched last April, is managed by MOBY bikes who currently run similar schemes in Westmeath, Offaly and in Dublin City and County.

It is is one of the first shared bike scheme of this kind in a regional town and according to Cllr Joe Bonner it is very well used.

"A lot of people are using the bikes and the scheme is very welcome.

"Some people have complained about the location of the bike stands, but that is something that will be reviewed," he said.