Where are the bikes from JC Decaux

321654

I thought we were supposed to have those public bikes by now.

Was in Barcelona last week and they are everywhere. Great to see people make good use of them there.

What happened?

Grudaire

321654 wrote: »

I thought we were supposed to have those public bikes by now.

Was in Barcelona last week and they are everywhere. Great to see people make good use of them there.

What happened?

They're too busy putting the advertising up:pac:

Húrin

I think I read that they were to start installing them around spring 2009, so we can expect them in Autumn.

Grudaire

Húrin wrote: »

I think I read that they were to start installing them around spring 2009, so we can expect them in Autumn.

By the looks of the Google results nobodies been talking about it since last August:

archeire

ha! They were asking if we've been short-changed in the deal because the bicycles haven't shown - 6 months ago:rolleyes:

spurious

Cliste wrote: »

They were asking if we've been short-changed in the deal because the bicycles haven't shown - 6 months ago:rolleyes:

We have been short changed by the deal, but in a much bigger way than a few missing bicycles.

BendiBus

This story from Paris doesn't fill me with optimism.

Over half the original fleet of 15,000 specially made bicycles have disappeared, presumed stolen. ... The company which runs the scheme, JCDecaux, says it can no longer afford to operate the city-wide network.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7881079.stm

No mention of whether or not JCDecaux expects to keep its billboards even if it stops providing the bikes.

SectionF

Big surprise. Let's launch an inquiry/appoint a regulator (light touch of course)/sack a regulator/pay JCD a fortune to go away/do everything in our power to ensure that the hapless Irish public is the last party to benefit.

Anyway, those billboards are an eyesore and in some cases downright dangerous in that they obstruct drivers' view.

edanto

Seriously, is anyone surprised? Here is an excerpt from the DCC minutes.

APPENDIX A: MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 5th JANUARY 2009

Q12. COUNCILLOR DECLAN FLANAGAN
Are there any plans for more advertising JC Decaux signs around Dublin City? How much revenue have these signs brought in to Dublin City Council in the last 6 months, what portion of revenue does Dublin City Council keep and what amount is paid to a third party, can you provide me with a report on same?

CITY MANAGER’S REPLY:
JCDecaux have received planning permission from Dublin City Council for 72 no. signs, a mix of Metropanels and Metropoles (larger signs), at various locations around the City. To date, 56 no. of these signs have been erected. No revenue accrues to the City Council from these advertising signs.

However, for the next 15 years, the City Council has free use of 38 no. faces
for the provision of civic information. Since September 2008 this Civic Information Network has been used for monthly campaigns advertising the City Council’s services including green water, sports and recreation, culture and voter registration.

In addition to the Civic Information Network, the Outdoor Advertising and Public Amenities contract agreement between JCDecaux and Dublin City Council provides for the following public amenities:

(i) Bike Scheme, comprising 40 no. stations and 450 bicycles
(ii) Wayfinding Scheme to the value of €4m
(iii) Removal of existing 48 sheet billboards


Last year, another counciller (Montague) told me that there was a cash payment - must get on to him and see what the story is.

Can anyone find out from JCD how much is costs to buy one of these spots? Love to work out the value of the advertising to them. (I wouldn't say it's much skin off their nose to the give the council <10% of the faces for free)

Also, as far as I know, the contract between DCC and the JCD is completely secret, requests from the councillors to examine it before and after signing were denied because of commercial sensitivity.

What the hell is a wayfinder scheme? Is that a series of maps around the city? Could be very useful to visitors if it's done right.
No doubt they have more advertising on the back!!

Also, an interesting question from December meeting -

COUNCILLOR MARY FREEHILL
Would the Manager clarify the status of the buildings from which JC Decaux removed advertising hoardings as part of the city bikes deal? Do the owners of these buildings still have planning rights to advertise on these walls?
CITY MANAGER’S REPLY:
The permission or the established use pertains to the site therefore the owners of the site have the right to enjoy any established use.

Curiosity gets the better of me... I have to keep looking through these minutes!

From November, in response to a question about what will be advertised?

The following items have been discussed and tentatively agreed up to June 2009:
January: Promotion on Libraries
– Dublin Public Libraries
February: Motor Tax on Line
– Finance Department
March: Sustainable Dublin
– Environment & Engineering/Corporate Services/City Manager’s Departments
April: Dublin One City One Book
– Culture Recreation & Amenities/Corporate Services Departments
May: Launch of the Bikes Scheme
– Planning & Economic Development Department
June: Summer in Dublin
– Culture Recreation & Amenity Department plus external agencies such as the National Museum, Temple Bar Cultural Trust etc.

So, can we expect to see the bike scheme launched in May? Surely they would want to have started building the stations?