Category: e-Bikes

Dublin City Council to roll out BikeBunkers

Dublin City Council is pleased to announce the BikeBunkers service to provide secure bicycle storage units for residents. The service is designed to make cycling more convenient and help address one of the biggest challenges for urban cyclists, the lack of secure and accessible bike storage close to home.

This milestone follows the success of a pilot project, where 12 bike bunkers were installed in selected residential areas to test demand and gather feedback. The results were overwhelmingly positive; every unit was fully subscribed, and residents strongly supported expanding the programme.

Building on this success, Dublin City Council has developed a comprehensive framework to deliver up to 300 BikeBunkers across the city. The framework will run for 10 years, with an initial 4-year service contract. Following a competitive procurement process, Bleeper has been appointed as the operator to commission, deliver, install, maintain, and service the BikeBunkers. This will be a budget-friendly, subsidised service supported by Dublin City Council, making secure bike parking more accessible to residents across the city.

Visit BikeBunkers.ie to explore the service in detail and find out how to register.

Lord Mayor of Dublin Councillor Ray McAdam said, “I’m delighted to see BikeBunkers rolling out across Dublin. This is a real win for communities, tackling one of the biggest barriers to cycling by giving people safe, secure bike storage close to home. 

BikeBunkers will make cycling easier and safer for Dubliners, giving people the confidence to use their bikes every day without worrying about theft or storage. Rolling out BikeBunkers across the city is a real boost for communities and a practical step in making Dublin a truly cycle-friendly capital”

Jennifer McGrath Head of Road Safety and Micromobility Unit, Dublin City Council said. “This service is about giving people practical support to cycle more in their daily lives. By providing secure, affordable bike storage in residential areas, Dublin City Council is helping communities embrace cycling as a convenient, reliable, and sustainable way to get around.”

“Bleeper has been meeting the needs of Dublin’s cycling community since our shared bikes launched in 2018, and we’re delighted to bring that wealth of expertise to the BikeBunkers service” says Hugh Cooney, CEO of Bleeper. “We understand how important it is to have secure cycle parking, and we’re excited to be working with Dublin City Council to bring BikeBunkers to neighbourhoods across the city.” 

New BikeBunkers will begin to arrive in neighbourhoods across Dublin by the end of 2025, and residents can register their interest in using a Bike Bunker by completing a short form on the website BikeBunkers.ie.

This project marks a significant step forward in creating a more sustainable and cycle-friendly Dublin.

***See Image attached: L-R Jennifer McGrath, DCC Head of Road Safety and Micromobility Unit, Richard Greene, CEO Bleeper, Olatomiwa Bammeke, DCC Road Safety and Micromobility Unit, Lord Mayor of Dublin Councillor Ray McAdam and Zewar Zyada, DCC Road Safety and Micromobility Unit”””

Driving less than 15,000 km a year? New report says you could save money by ditching your private car

Car owners who are driving less than 15,000 km a year could be losing out on substantial cost savings, according to a new report from Oliver Wyman, a global leader in management consulting and Bolt, Europe’s largest shared mobility company.

The report has found that while there has been a reduction of 1,700 km per year in the distance travelled by personal cars across Europe over the last decade, the number of vehicles registered per household has stayed the same, suggesting that cars are often sitting idle at home. In Ireland, the number of privately-owned vehicles on the roads rose by 215% between 1985 and 2020. Previous research from Bolt revealed that over one quarter (25.67%) of Irish drivers are likely to give up their car in the next five years if viable alternatives are made available, whilst over half (54.55%) cited the overall expense of running a car as a potential reason for giving up their car.

For those car owners driving less than 15,000 km a year, new data shows other modes of transport like ride-hailing, car subscriptions, scooter and e-bike rentals and car-sharing can be more affordable than owning a car.

The report looked at the total cost of ownership (TCO) in price per km for premium, SUV and compact cars, which decrease incrementally the more a car is driven, and compared them to the price per km of different types of shared mobility services, which carry no additional costs to the user, past the initial price.

In Ireland, though petrol and diesel prices dipped by two cents and one cent in October, the price of crude oil remains elevated at approximately $90 per barrel, an increase on the $70 barrels were valued at during the summer.

Car-sharing emerged particularly favourably as a cost effective transport mode, being cheaper than all three car types at an annual mileage of up to 15,000 km. Shared scooters and e-bike services were cheaper than a compact car at an annual mileage of 5,000 km, while even the most expensive shared mobility service, ride-hailing, proved cheaper than a premium car for an annual mileage up to 12,000 km. The analysis was conducted in Germany but applicable to all major European markets.

For those who cannot afford a car, the study also points out how shared mobility is a viable alternative, removing the key financial barrier of purchasing a car, scooter or eBike and connecting into public transport systems to provide better commuting access.

Fortunately for Irish citizens, the government is taking warmly received steps to ensure the country is well-positioned to transition away from a reliance on the private car. The recent Budget included an investment of €360m in cycling and walking infrastructure, as well as confirmation that the 20% fare reduction for all public transport (implemented last year as a temporary cost of living measure) will continue.

Notably, the government has also been taking great strides to enable an alternative transport mode which can ensure the cycling infrastructure is well used: the shared electric scooter. Legislation is expected to be finalised in the next couple of months. Given one third (33.4%) of private car journeys in Dublin are less than two kilometres according to the CSO, and over one fifth (20.9%) are 2 to 4 kilometres in length, the company with Irish headquarters in Dublin expect the two-wheelers to be a hit in towns and cities of varying sizes across the country.

Indeed, Bolt already offers shared electric bikes in Sligo, Kilkenny, Wexford, Bray, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, and Carlow. The firm is the largest scooter provider in Europe with scooters and e-bikes in more than 250 cities across 25 countries.

Head of Public Policy for Bolt Ireland, Aisling Dunne, said: “This report comes at a time that has real potential to be a watershed moment for the environment and transport in Ireland. It exposes the poor value for money private cars represent for urban dwellers across the country, just when cities and citizens are understandably assessing how far their euro is going.

“Thankfully a viable alternative is well on its way in the form of the shared electric scooter. We strongly encourage the NTA to continue this positive momentum by evaluating if the supply of taxis – especially in hospitality hotspots like Dublin – is proportionate to the amount of demand from passengers. Many of us will have first-hand experience of struggling to get a taxi.”

Dr Andreas Nienhaus, Head of the Oliver Wyman Mobility Forum, who led the study, said: “The mobility sector has changed dramatically in recent years and in addition to cars there is now a range of different modes of transport available to people. Cars will still be a necessity for some depending on where they live or their job, but what this report shows is that switching away from private car ownership can have significant benefits for many, particularly those living in cities.”

In addition to saving people money, the new report also found that greater usage of services like scooters and e-bikes can have environmental benefits for cities and the people living in them.

An analysis of how people used Bolt scooters in Europe found that around 10% of e-scooter rides directly replaced car journeys. As a result, e-scooters on their own contributed a reduction of up to 120 million car kilometres travelled, helping to alleviate traffic congestion and air pollution in cities and to reduce car-related emissions by an estimated 23,000 tons CO2e across Europe. The study also highlights the potential for aligned multimodal approaches between operators and Cities to cut personal car usage by 20% in Cities like Berlin.

Bolt and Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council bring shared electric bike service to region ahead of Car-Free Day on September 22nd

European shared mobility leader Bolt, in partnership with Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, has officially launched its shared electric bike service across parts of the area today. The occasion was marked by an event attended by Bolt and the council at White Rock beach. The service arrives just in time for European Mobility Week which starts on September 16 and aptly ends with Car-Free Day on September 22.

Though the council area already benefits from an abundance of different transport modes that crucially aren’t the private car, the service from Bolt offers residents and visitors something brand new in a multitude of ways.

To start, it has an affordable €0.18 per minute charge and no unlock fee. Market research often says that the price point of a transport mode determines its utilisation. Since Bolt and DLR CoCo have the common goal of shifting private car use to public and shared transport, especially ahead of Car-Free Day, this is crucial.

Another quality important to consumers, and a differentiator of Bolt’s service, is ease of use. Notably, Bolt’s bicycles have pedal assisted motors. This means they can be used in different ways to push bicycles. For example, riders of Bolt’s e-bikes can scale DLR’s notorious hills or put kilometres behind them (aided by the region’s fantastic cycling infrastructure) without breaking a sweat. This means they can be a genuine alternative to the private car, and connect coastal towns (such as Dalkey, Killiney, Shankill) and Cherrywood with Bray. Additionally, the service provides an important link with Dart and bus services which helps people commute in a sustainable way. The value this can bring can be seen in the almost 3250 people that have cycled more than 38,000 kilometres since the service launched in nearby Bray in late June.

It is not, however, only users of the service that are getting something new. Bolt is a firm believer that transport needs to work for everyone, including pedestrians. Consequently, the firm has a suite of features and smart technologies which ensure the service is used responsibly.

For those with no or little experience of bicycles with pedal assisted motors, there is ‘Beginner Mode’. This limits the top speed of the bicycle to 15 km/h. Once ‘Beginner Mode’ is turned off, the bicycles have a maximum speed of 25 km/h.

The GPS technology packed into the bikes brings a wealth of benefits. For example, in collaboration with the council, Bolt has implemented go-slow zones (where speed is limited to 15 km/h), as well as no-go zones (where the bikes aren’t allowed to be ridden whatsoever).

GPS also brings benefits even when the bikes aren’t being used. Bikes will be stationed in designated mandatory parking locations on public realm and private property (as agreed with the landowners). This means riders will be shown where they can park their bike through the app and physical signage. Not only does this mean the bikes won’t take up space reserved for private bicycles at popular bike racks, Bolt can also see if a parking location is at risk of being overwhelmed and take action. This could be in the form of the local operations team shifting an appropriate amount of bikes to another location, temporarily disallowing bikes being parked in a specific location or discounting trips from a location to ensure the bikes get moved.

The roll-out of the bikes in these areas is a pilot programme and is subject to amendment, pending feedback from all corners of the community. Feedback of all kinds is welcome and can be shared in-app or by emailing Ireland@bolt.eu.

Though the service will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the company will be employing an in-app cognitive reaction test 11pm-5am. This means prospective riders have to prove they are in a fit state to ride a bicycle through their reaction time.

Another way in which the Estonian company offers a unique proposition is the taxi service that can be ordered within the very same app. This means a wide variety of mobility needs can be met within the Bolt app alone. For example, citizens can ride a bicycle to a public transport hub or destination in DLR at the start of the night, and then get home safely by taxi after public transport services have stopped for the night.

Bolt will further support users taking the right mode of transport at the right time and discourage the usage of its bike service whilst under the influence of alcohol by offering a discount for its taxi service to those who fail its cognitive reaction test*. The company will offer this discount during launch week whilst everyone gets familiar with the new service.

Bolt Operations Manager for Rentals in Ireland and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown resident, John Buckley, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled that our electric bikes will be available to residents and visitors to the southern parts of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown. We offer something completely different – an electric bike service that can get you up that hill, and a taxi service that can get you home safe at night, all in one app. And what fantastic timing, just on the eve of European Mobility Week which encourages everyone who can give up their private car to do so, a cause which is central to our company mission. Providing people with more convenient options make that prospect more likely for many.”

Bolt launches shared electric bike rental in Bray, allowing customers to travel by bike and taxi with the same app for the first time in Ireland

European shared mobility leader Bolt, in partnership with Wicklow County Council, has officially launched its shared electric bike service in Bray today. The occasion was marked by an event at Bray’s Civic Offices attended by Cathaoirleach Cllr. Melanie Corrigan, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Cllr Aoife Flynn Kennedy, members of Bray Municipal District, and other public representatives.

The bikes can be found at a variety of designated locations throughout the town and rented by the minute. Bolt and Wicklow County Council are confident they will support the transition away from the private car towards a combination of public transport and shared mobility. The service has an affordable €0.18 per minute charge and has been designed to connect to local Dart stations.

The launch coincides with #YourCouncil Day, which is intended to raise awareness of the many services local councils offer across the country. Bolt and Wicklow County Council are hoping the new service fits seamlessly into the local transport offering, and aid the Wicklow County Development Plan 2022-2028 which, amongst other objectives, seeks to facilitate a modal shift to more sustainable transport options.

Bolt offers a range of services on the same app in cities across Europe, but this marks the first time such a ‘multimodal’ service has been available in Ireland, with e-bikes now connecting with Bolt’s existing ride-hailing service in Dublin. This means a wide variety of mobility needs can be met within the Bolt app alone. For example, citizens can ride a bicycle to a public transport hub or destination in Bray at the start of the night, and then get home safely by taxi after public transport services have stopped for the night.

Bolt’s electric bike service will operate 24 hours a day. Amongst several other initiatives to ensure Bolt remains a responsible operator, the company will be employing an in-app cognitive reaction test 11pm-5am 7 days a week. This means prospective riders have to prove they are in a fit state to ride a bicycle through their reaction time. If a customer fails this test, they will be encouraged to take a Bolt taxi or use public transport instead, another benefit of offering multiple transport modes within the same ecosystem.

Bolt is taking multiple efforts to ensure the bicycles seamlessly integrate into the lives of riders and pedestrians alike. The roll-out of the bikes will be gradual, starting with an initial 50, scaling up to 100 pending positive feedback from all corners of the community and high levels of demand.

Bikes will be stationed in designated mandatory parking locations on public realm and private property (as agreed with the landowners). This means riders will be instructed where they have to park their bike through the app and physical signage. Locations are intended to be convenient yet unobtrusive, with examples including Shoreline Leisure Bray, Pettitts-SuperValu on the Southern Cross, Ballymore lands on the Dublin Road and of course at Bray’s Dart station. Operations – including the tidying and maintenance of bikes – will run from a town centre base, and feedback of all kinds can be shared in app or by emailing Ireland@bolt.eu.

Bolt is widely experienced in operating micromobility services. The company is the largest electric scooter provider in Europe with over 260,000 scooters across 25 countries, and already has a highly utilised electric bike service in Sligo, Kilkenny and Wexford. Furthermore, Bolt is in talks with several other councils keen to accelerate their active travel services in line with the National Development Plan and the Climate Action Plan.

For those not yet familiar with bicycles with pedal assisted motors, there is ‘Beginner Mode’. This limits the top speed of the bicycle to 15 km/h. Once ‘Beginner Mode’ is turned off, the bicycles have a maximum speed of 25 km/h.

Bolt Operations Manager for Rentals in Ireland, John Buckley, said: “Bolt has seen rapid traction in e-bike schemes across a range of Irish cities, driven by strategic parking collaborations and affordable pricing. We’re thrilled to launch our electric bike service in Bray, and what great timing. Your Council Day embodies the value councils bring to their local communities – through this great initiative, we’ll be working with the Council to provide people with sustainable transport options so they can make the change where possible.

“It’s also great timing since our recent research revealed that only one-quarter of Irish drivers believe they are likely to give up their car in the next five years*. We’re on a mission to provide and advocate for the alternative, and make cities for people, not cars. Our thanks go to Wicklow County Council for the opportunity.”

The Cathaoirleach of Bray Municipal District, Cllr Melanie Corrigan, said: “I am delighted to launch this e-bike scheme here in Bray on ‘Your Council Day,’ the first of its kind in County Wicklow. It will offer local residents and visitors the opportunity to avail of a sustainable transport option in our town. With the introduction of this e-bike initiative on a pilot basis in Bray, we hope many people will change how they travel by reducing the reliance on private vehicles when travelling short-to-medium distances. Now more than ever, with both the climate and energy crisis, it is vital to provide facilities that allow the public to choose alternative modes of travel. This e-bike sharing scheme allows us to choose to travel in a more sustainable way and enjoy the social, environmental and health benefits of cycling.”

Emer O’Gorman Chief Executive, Wicklow County Council stated: “I welcome this low-carbon, sustainable e-bike scheme which will provide a vital transport option to the community of Bray. The initiative is a significant step forward towards fulfilling yet another commitment under our programme for Climate Action. Bray is an ideal town for this initiative and hopefully it will encourage more people to cycle over short trips and connect with DART and bus services in the town. It has been shown that e-bike users cycle further and more often so the benefit will extend beyond low carbon sustainability and will contribute towards the health and wellbeing of our citizens.”

Lorraine Gallagher, District Manager, Bray Municipal District added: “This is an excellent initiative which will assist in promoting the many benefits of sustainable travel to the people of Bray, and I would like to commend the project team from Bolt and Wicklow County Council for bringing this initiative to fruition and for choosing Bray. I would also like to thank local businesses who have worked with the project team in allowing bike parking bays to be installed on their property. I expect this shared electric bike scheme to be incredibly popular and will provide the enthusiasm for this Council to explore and introduce further sustainable and affordable travel initiatives going forward.”

Payzone to sponsor Bleeper bikes across Dublin

Payzone, Ireland’s largest consumer payments network, has today announced a new sponsorship agreement with Bleeper, Ireland’s first dockless bike-sharing service. The agreement will see Payzone sponsor 800 of Bleeper’s public bikes operated in Dublin City, Fingal, and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Councils.

Today’s announcement comes ahead of further moves planned by Payzone to expand its current range of services within its popular Parking application. Payzone has brought various innovations to motorists over the years and the application is ideally placed to implement a broad range of future value-added features. This will include a range of services which will make it easier for the travelling public to go about their daily lives, using one single application, regardless of how they commute, whether by Car, Bus, Rail, Taxi, Bike, Scooter or on Foot. This will also become instrumental in promoting sustainability.

Bleeper provides smart solutions for everyday transport offering a sustainable alternative to individuals commuting around the capital. Bleeper is on a mission to fight climate change, one journey at a time. In 2022 Bleeper users avoided emitting approximately 59,199kg of CO2 by choosing to cycle for their everyday trips.

Commenting on the sponsorship, Jim Deignan, CEO, Payzone Ireland said, “Bike sharing has grown in popularity across Europe in recent years and Bleeper is a very successful cycle hire scheme operating here in Dublin. We have plans to expand the Payzone parking application to offer our customers a range of additional mobility-related services, with sustainable transport being at the forefront of these plans.

“We’re delighted to partner with Bleeper to promote alternative modes of transport. We feel the partnership aligns with our future vision for Payzone and demonstrates our commitment to sustainable transport and supports the Government’s stated ambition of active travel.”

Bleeper offers a range of sustainable travel solutions from its shared public bikes and shared private bikes to its newly launched LeaseBike subscription service. The Payzone brand will be displayed on both sides of the middle ad board of the Bleeper public bike for the duration of the 12-month sponsorship.

Hugh Cooney, founder of Bleeper said, “Making it easier to access bike sharing schemes like Bleeper can only help with growing the number of people cycling. We are excited to be partnering with Payzone and to be the first mobility service available in the Payzone app. Dublin is an ideal city to get around by bike and this partnership is another step towards making it a little easier to do that.”

In addition to the sponsorship, Bleeper bikes will be discoverable on the Payzone App from the beginning of July, making it easier for individuals to find a Bleeper bike near them.

Payzone and Bleeper are actively involved with Mobility Partnership Ireland, a private sector coalition with the vision for Ireland to develop as a European and global leader in sustainable mobility. Representing car sharing, bus travel, ride-hailing, e-cargo and bike-sharing modes of transport, their shared aim is to place the needs of transport users at the heart of transport policy, enable innovation, promote public health and support climate action.