Dublin bicycle scheme launched

Hundreds of bicycles will be available on the streets of Dublin from today 13th Sept. 2009.

The initiative has been organised by Dublin City Council in conjunction with a French advertising giant who will fund the operation in return for advertising space.

The 450 silver unisex bicycles are being made available for use by the public at 40 locations from the Mater Hospital in the North of the city to Grand Canal Street in the South.

A short journey lasting a half an hour is free but six hours costs €4.50 and its €2 for every half an hour after that.

Would be cyclists also need to leave €150 deposit using either a credit card or a bank draft, which will be used if the bike is not returned.

The scheme is similar to the one that has been operating in Paris, Copenhagen and 16 other cities.