There has been a call for a bicycle rental scheme – similar to the City Bike initiative that operates successfully in Dublin and elsewhere – to be considered for Killarney, particularly with a number of new urban cycle paths in the pipeline as part of the Active Travel project.
Cllr John O’Donoghue said, under the scheme, a bicycle can be rented remotely at one location and deposited at another location making it ideal for day-trippers and tourists with daily or annual subsciptions offered.
He asked Kerry County Council what discussions have taken place with existing bicycle rental operators within the town to ascertain their interest in launching such a scheme.
A council official said a public bike sharing scheme in Killarney will be assessed as part of the Tralee and Killarney Active Travel Mobility Plans.
A consultant will engage with the various stakeholders and establish the need based on population, layout and topography, the level of cycling and infrastructure.
The council stressed, however, that it is important to be cognisant of the potential for displacement of existing enterprises providing bike rental services.
Meanwhile, detailed drawings and tender documents have been prepared for the inter-connected network of cycleways on Rock Road in Killarney which carries a price tag of €704,835.
Discussions have been taking place with residents to allow for the undergrounding of ESB networks and it is expected that the works will commence in January.
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