Over 3,000 journeys taken since launch of new Navan Shared Bike Scheme

Hannah McNamara

There has been over 3,000 journeys taken in the first two months of the Navan shared bike scheme, new figures have shown with users cycling for over 65,000 minutes so far.

The new initiative introduced on 1st August aims to promote physical well-being with 25 push bikes and 25 electric bikes available for daily hire through an app. E-cargo bikes are also to launch soon.

The idea is relatively simple, you download the app and insert your details including your payment details. Then, you simply select a vacant bike on the app's map, scan the QR code displayed on the bike or enter the bike number on the app and away you go.

Once journeys are completed the bikes can be left anywhere within the Navan flexzones. These zones are defined areas, outside the town centre, where the bikes can be flexibly left on any public road. The blue marked streets, also known as blue flexzones or an official station displayed on the map requires no extra costs. You can also return the bike to a pink flexzone for a €1 surcharge.

Bikes have been spotted on bridges, outside housing estates and even along the Ramparts but according to operator NextBike chief Peadar Golden that's all perfectly normal.

"Within the town centre bikes must be left at the Sheffield bikes racks or else that customer will face a €20 fine. It is entirely up to the customer to adhere to the policy of the scheme to avoid facing these fines.

"Moving outside of the town centre, the bikes can be left in the flexzones. All vehicles have GPS' and multiple times a week the guys working on the ground collect the bikes left in flexzones."

One concern raised was that some bikes were being left in places where they were causing an obstruction, particularly on footpaths and in the way of people with mobility issues or visual impairments. Once such person was Amy Ryan.

The Navan native who is visually impaired has encountered issues with these bikes.

"The danger of my cane getting caught in the bikes is that it can potentially break or I could injure myself by tripping on it."

Amy found that these 'abandoned' bikes were being left directly in front of pedestrian crossings, blocking the crossing and traffic light buttons.

She said: "I just want to ask people to be more considerate for those with disabilities when it comes to using the bike schemes."

NextBike’s Peadar Golden stated that customers are advised to not obstruct pathways, doors or stairways when parking these bikes in flexzones.

"Our email and phone number is displayed on each bike and we encourage customers to report to us when one of our vehicles is being obstructive.

"When a report is made, the team is flagged and the ground workers are made aware that said bike is priority and needs to be moved."

Peadar said: "It is great to see how many people feel drawn to our offer in just the first couple of months. It is our goal to make sustainable transport as attractive and accessible as possible across Ireland. We have great hopes for our scheme and look forward to seeing it reach its full potential in the future."