The 'bike library' is an innovation for a greener environment.
Image via PixabayDublin has got its first "bike library" in a bid to get more people out of the car.
The pilot project is being run by Francesco Pilla, a professor of Smart Cities at University College Dublin.
The "bike library" opened in Harolds cross at the Educate Together National School on Monday and Teacher Ruth Glennon says it's been a success so far.
The scheme is part of the iChange project funded by the European Commission and is supported by Science Foundation Ireland.
Great to see a ‘bicycle library’ started in Dublin: https://t.co/1iaN4mMafi
— IrishCycle.com (@IrishCycle) September 26, 2022
Parents can borrow cargo bikes, e-bikes or folding bikes for free, provided by Bleeper bike which has a contract with UCD.
While cycling is one of the cheapest forms of transport, the initial cost of buying a bike, particularly cargo or e-bikes which cost thousands of euros, prevent it from being an affordable or attractive option for many.
Professor Pilla explains: "As e-cargo bikes are quite expensive, I think that creates a barrier because parents or families don’t feel like investing such an amount of money….but I think once they try them and feel the convenience, how it’s easy to go around and bring kids to school they might want to invest".
