Launch of new Cork Public Bikes Scheme

TheChizler · 10-12-2014 12:49pm

Definitely be great if the functionality could be ported to phones, in a very short space of time I've gone from having 0 to 3 RFID cards in my wallet, they don't interfere with each other YET but I'd like to make the transition to the phone.

cgcsb · 10-12-2014 2:29pm

Milly33 wrote: »

Is it €5 for the year or is it €5 for lets say until the end of 2014?

I would really like to believe they are going to get this up and running but I hear on the radio again there are going to be more delays. I haven't even seen any of the bikes yet

The membership is good for 365 days after signing up.

Poxyshamrock · 10-12-2014 5:58pm

If you registered for the Cork scheme, your card will be valid until the 17th of December 2015.

Adrian J Lynch · 10-12-2014 6:26pm

I agree a map would be nice

Milly33 · 10-12-2014 6:36pm

Oh ok I see thank you, for some reason I had picked up that it was just until the end of the year and was thinking sure that isn't a good deal haha

Rhys Essien · 11-12-2014 6:42pm

Had a go off one of the bikes earlier.They're great for pulling skidders.I thought they'd be newer looking.

scuby · 11-12-2014 11:32pm

They have a phone app, so you can see what bikes are at each station, and if there are free spots to drop a bike off. You can also create favourite locations etc

Milly33 · 12-12-2014 11:34am

Where are these bikes..Went into town last Saturday and didn't see any and last night we went in too and made a note to myself to look out for them but didn't see any

Pitcairn · 12-12-2014 11:40am

Milly33 wrote: »

Where are these bikes..Went into town last Saturday and didn't see any and last night we went in too and made a note to myself to look out for them but didn't see any

None of the bikes or the Coke Zero branding is in place yet. All I have seen is the concrete bases, the docking terminals for the bikes and the card terminals.
There are a good few of them around, outside Square Deal, near gates to UCC; outside Pres, at the back of Bishop Lucey Park.

whisky_galore · 12-12-2014 12:55pm

Rhys Essien wrote: »

Had a go off one of the bikes earlier.They're great for pulling skidders.I thought they'd be newer looking.

What do you expect, some NASA space age, carbon fibre racing bike? These are supposed to be durable bikes for all shapes/sizes for city centre plodding.

Milly33 · 12-12-2014 2:33pm

Ahh I see I see, I thought by the way people were talking there were some out there..

okedoke · 13-12-2014 8:30pm

Got my card in the post yesterday.

Pitcairn · 15-12-2014 3:39pm

Cork-Station-Locations-Sites-in-Green-to-Go-Live-on-18th-December-Sites-in-Red-to-go-live-in-January-February.jpg

http://www.eveningecho.ie/2014/12/15/bike-rental-scheme-to-start-this-week/

Here's a map from the Echo of 15 of 31 docking stations the NTA say will be live from Thursday with the remainder to be done in New Year. The green points are the ones going live.

okedoke · 15-12-2014 4:31pm

great to see it up and running. Pity the stations right in the City Centre are not opening this week (minor quibble in the scheme of things) but it will be a fantastic addition to the city I think.

cgcsb · 16-12-2014 10:58am

I only hope the cycling infrastructure will improve also. Cycling in Cork can be taking your life into your hands, very aggressive drivers.

j8wk2feszrnpao · 16-12-2014 11:05am

cgcsb wrote: »

I only hope the cycling infrastructure will improve also. Cycling in Cork can be taking your life into your hands, very aggressive drivers.

It's not just some drivers. Cyclists are also responsible.
Can't understand how people are cycling against traffic in the city, wearing dark clothes and no lights.
Some cyclists don't appear to care for their own well being.

okedoke · 16-12-2014 4:38pm

cgcsb wrote: »

I only hope the cycling infrastructure will improve also. Cycling in Cork can be taking your life into your hands, very aggressive drivers.

I think the cycling infrastructure in the city has improved dramatically in the last 2/3 years or so. Lots of bike lanes and bike racks around town and there seems to be more people cycling. Hopefully these facilities will be maintained.

Dbu · 16-12-2014 6:00pm

cgcsb wrote: »

I only hope the cycling infrastructure will improve also. Cycling in Cork can be taking your life into your hands, very aggressive drivers.

Im not being smart here, but cyclists need to obey the rules of the road as well. ie traffic lights

KCAccidental · 16-12-2014 6:14pm

oh no, not another drivers vs cyclists argument

the beer revolu · 16-12-2014 6:38pm

Dbu wrote: »

Im not being smart here, but cyclists need to obey the rules of the road as well. ie traffic lights

Ok.
I'm a motorist, a pedestrian and a sometimes cyclist.
When I cycle, I'm concerned about, primarily keeping myself safe. I'm also concerned that I don't force motorists to make dangerous evasive manoeuvres. I also avoid hindering or endangering pedestrians.
What I couldn't give a flying toss about is motorists getting upset because they don't like what I do on the roads.
Why do motorists care if a cyclist safely goes through a red light? Really. Why?
I often find that it is far safer to break a light than to wait to go with all the impatient traffic on the green.
Often, in traffic, I will take a central lane position if I'm traveling at the same speed as the traffic. I feel safer there where I can't be edged into other traffic, I'm not obstructing anyone and I don't care if it annoys motorists.

When driving, I rarely see cyclists putting themselves or others in danger. Why would i care if the odd cyclist breaks a red light as long as no one is in danger? It would just be spite, really.
I see motorists do stupid, annoying and dangerous things every time I drive. Every time. Breaking red lights in a 1 ton box doing 50kmph, straight through pedestrian crossings is a particular annoyance of mine. It's only a matter of time before a pedestrian is killed at a crossing.

Of course there are stupid and dangerous cyclists out there. I know someone who was badly run over by a bike - on the footpath!
Plenty of stupid pedestrians around too.

Motorists, due to their potentially lethal nature, have a big responsibility for all road user's safety. I constantly see this responsibility being treated with total disdain.

For those upset at cyclists safely breaking lights:get over yourselves or get a bike!

j8wk2feszrnpao · 16-12-2014 6:49pm

the beer revolu wrote: »

For those upset at cyclists safely breaking lights:get over yourselves or get a bike!

I'm also a motorist, a pedestrian and a cyclist.
I don't break lights in my car or on my bike, cause it part of the rules of the road, and leads to greater safety for everyone.

Breaking the lights 'safely'? How do you define this? Not everyone's definition is the same; someones idea of 'safe' is 'dangerous' to others, hence the use of rules.

The 'get over yourselves' attitude is too prevalent on our roads.

blindsider · 16-12-2014 6:54pm

Folks - please take the car v bike argument somewhere else.

This thread is about the Cork Bike Scheme.

Thanks.

SomeFool · 16-12-2014 7:07pm

Dbu wrote: »

Im not being smart here, but cyclists need to obey the rules of the road as well. ie traffic lights

From my commute the other day,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxOv-g65HD8

and one from a while ago'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfVbDXD-r5U

a clown is a clown regardless of their chosen method of transport.

physioman · 16-12-2014 7:16pm

SomeFool wrote: »

From my commute the other day, a clown is a clown regardless of their chosen method of transport.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxOv-g65HD8

Send video to gardai. I cycle from ballincollig to city to work. Like with every mode of transport your gonna get idiots. It does frustrate me when cyclists jump lights. Gives us all a bad name. New cycle lanes are great. Pity the new bike scheme wasn't out in commuter towns. Would encourage more people to cycle into work

SomeFool · 16-12-2014 7:21pm

Nah, I only posted her on YouTube cause she sprawled all over the bike box at the next junction, it's a real pet hate of mine.

j8wk2feszrnpao · 16-12-2014 9:34pm

blindsider wrote: »

Folks - please take the car v bike argument somewhere else.

This thread is about the Cork Bike Scheme.

Thanks.

Please lets mods do their job, or apply to become one if you wish. If you feel there's a bike v's car argument brewing, then report and let them decide.

I'm not having a bike v's car argument; on the Cork Bike Scheme thread, I'm discussing the safety aspect. There's going to be a lot more cyclists in the city, and everyone (motorists, bikers, cyclists, pedestrians, ...) needs to be more wary for their own (and others) safety.

cgcsb · 17-12-2014 12:08am

munstermagic11 wrote: »

It's not just some drivers. Cyclists are also responsible.
Can't understand how people are cycling against traffic in the city, wearing dark clothes and no lights.
Some cyclists don't appear to care for their own well being.

In an urban environment, black clothes or not, If you can't see somebody nearby then either your sight is too bad for you to drive or you're not paying attention to the road.

j8wk2feszrnpao · 17-12-2014 12:45am

cgcsb wrote: »

In an urban environment, black clothes or not, If you can't see somebody nearby then either your sight is too bad for you to drive or you're not paying attention to the road.

I did see the cyclist, hence why I was able to post about it.

But if you think the issue is with the driver; rather than someone cycling against traffic (occurred on Bridge street which is one way), in Winter-time light and weather, wearing dark clothing, and no lights; that's up to you.

Personally I think the cyclist is at fault for not taking precautions to limit the risk to their own well being. In any environment, you should reduce the chance of sustaining an injury (either through you own neglect or others).

KCAccidental · 17-12-2014 1:50am

Can't wait for Friday!

Nash Bridges · 17-12-2014 10:29am

KCAccidental wrote: »

Can't wait for Friday!

I think it is tomorrow, Thursday 18th, that it is meant to launch. Saw builders finishing the surface at the Sullivans Quay stand this morning. Looked like it was ready to go, the stands and control panel were lit up and all. I'm looking forward to see how it will turn out too. It's a very welcome addition to the city.

Dbu · 17-12-2014 2:38pm

[QUOTE=the beer revolu;93469078
For those upset at cyclists safely breaking lights:get over yourselves or get a bike![/QUOTE]

Why not wait until the light is green? Have witnessed a pedestrian being knocked down by a light breaker on a bike and its not pretty. When the green light comes on for pedestrians to cross does not mean a bike can plough through. Any way didn't mean to start a bike v car thing

beer enigma · 17-12-2014 3:14pm

Dbu wrote: »

Im not being smart here, but cyclists need to obey the rules of the road as well. ie traffic lights

This thread is about the Cork Public Bike Scheme, not about cycling behaviour - please stay on topic or you'll go on Santa's naughty list

opus · 18-12-2014 10:09am

Up & running!

Nash Bridges · 18-12-2014 10:22am

opus wrote: »

Up & running!

Excellent, thats great to see!

Pitcairn · 18-12-2014 10:35am

I passed Wandesford Quay opposite the dole office and that also looked operational with 8 or 9 bikes there.

Dbu · 18-12-2014 11:25am

Andip wrote: »

This thread is about the Cork Public Bike Scheme, not about cycling behaviour - please stay on topic or you'll go on Santa's naughty list

:eek:

lol

Subpopulus · 18-12-2014 8:48pm

Went for a spin today on one of the bikes, they're pretty nice to use. A few points:

Didn't see anyone else only meself on one, so people haven't rushed out en masse to use them.
They look great.
You can get a nice bit of speed out of them if you try.
The gearing mechanism is the most interesting thing- instead of the gear jumping up from one gear to the next, it feels like something tightens up in the hub so you get a gradient effect - sort of like the turning the gas burner up or down.
The bell is pretty tinny.
The locks are a bit crap - unlike the DublinBikes where the lock is integrated into the bike, they just have a combination lock attached to the handlebar and you get a code for it and have to remember it or write it down.
The basket isn't great, like the Barclay Bikes one only larger. It'll hold an eightpack of Harp Lager pretty handy though.
Got a few admiring looks from passers-by. Gotta enjoy those admiring looks while they last - there'll be a lot more people on those bikes soon enough.
Finally: Woo Hoo! A bikeshare scheme in Cork!

thomil · 18-12-2014 10:17pm

Good to see it up and running. One thing has surprised me, though. The station at Camden Quay is finished and looks ready to go, but still hasn't gotten any bikes. I've just emailed the operators to find out what is up with that. I'd be curious to know if there is any other stations in Cork that are in similar limbo.

Mushy · 18-12-2014 10:32pm

thomil wrote: »

Good to see it up and running. One thing has surprised me, though. The station at Camden Quay is finished and looks ready to go, but still hasn't gotten any bikes. I've just emailed the operators to find out what is up with that. I'd be curious to know if there is any other stations in Cork that are in similar limbo.

College of Comm didnt appear to have any when I passed, although I wasn't sure if they were all used or it's just not running.

the beer revolu · 19-12-2014 11:03am

thomil wrote: »

Good to see it up and running. One thing has surprised me, though. The station at Camden Quay is finished and looks ready to go, but still hasn't gotten any bikes. I've just emailed the operators to find out what is up with that. I'd be curious to know if there is any other stations in Cork that are in similar limbo.

If you download the app, you'll see that most of the stations aren't online yet.
I think it'll be great when /if they extend the range. As it is, I'd say the greatest distance between any 2 stations is about a 15 minute walk.
UCC is probably the most useful destination atm but I'd like to see it cover more of the suburbs.

Bacchus · 19-12-2014 11:44am

Spotted a station out beside The Oval (across from Beamish factory) last night. The bike look great and the station is quite neat and doesn't obstruct the path in any way. 3 bikes were missing so there's a few people already using them

Think I'll wait till more of the stations are complete. I don't like the idea of using it to cross the city and then struggle to find a station to park it again.

Ludo · 19-12-2014 12:34pm

Bacchus wrote: »

I don't like the idea of using it to cross the city and then struggle to find a station to park it again.

Maybe thats why there were three missing. There has to be less bikes than stations so people can park.

Milly33 · 19-12-2014 3:14pm

Super fast I only registered yesterday and got the stuff in the post today yeppee

okedoke · 19-12-2014 6:08pm

Used the bike today, pretty impressed - they are very comfortable and go at a decent pace. The gearing system is nice.

When I was taking one out for my return journey I had to use my card a few times but I think i may have been pulling the bike out before it disengaged, meaning that it didn't actually disengage (if that makes sense).

I saw a few others around town on them too.

Where do you get the code for the lock?

TheChizler · 20-12-2014 1:30am

Looking good! Load of wans climbing over them and lads trying to break them out of the stands on South Main St though, not sure how they'll last...

Bacchus · 20-12-2014 2:16am

TheChizler wrote: »

Looking good! Load of wans climbing over them and lads trying to break them out of the stands on South Main St though, not sure how they'll last...

The initial novelty will wear off in the New Year. It's actually a tad unfortunate that the timing of their introduction wound up in the middle of Christmas drinking season.

D'Agger · 22-12-2014 5:16pm

Bacchus wrote: »

The initial novelty will wear off in the New Year. It's actually a tad unfortunate that the timing of their introduction wound up in the middle of Christmas drinking season.

This - thought a Spring/Summer launch would see more use of them initially and help it grab a foothold in Cork culture

KCAccidental · 22-12-2014 8:01pm

they should have held off until after christmas at least. this piecemeal opening isn't really doing much for publicising the benefits the scheme will eventually bring.

I have a feeling that they had to open some part of it at least in 2014.

thomil · 22-12-2014 8:53pm

KCAccidental wrote: »

they should have held off until after christmas at least. this piecemeal opening isn't really doing much for publicising the benefits the scheme will eventually bring.

I have a feeling that they had to open some part of it at least in 2014.

I disagree. In my eyes, the piecemeal launch could turn out to be a blessing in disguise. It should enable them to work out any teething issues, and bring new stations online when they're ready. I had a bit of email contact with them concerning the Camden Quay station. They expect to have the entire network operational before March/April. They hope to have everything up and running in January, but can't guarantee that.
That should give them enough time to get the system up and running stable before the real cycling season starts. However, a concerted PR campaign can't hurt.

blindsider · 23-12-2014 1:02am

Disagree completely!

It isn't rocket science and it's been done before.

This was originally discussed 3+ yrs ago for Cork. Dublin was 09, Paris 07 - we're supposed to learn from the experience of others....

Launching in mid-December was stupid in the extreme - but because the concept itself is so good, the ineptitude will be glossed over.

May - summer, and September- colleges return, are the optimal launch times.

Launch of new Cork Public Bikes Scheme

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