Cllr Andrew Muir stated: “Cycling is quick, good for your health, the environment and is becoming increasingly popular. By providing opportunities for people to hire a bike in Bangor and Holywood for leisurely rides we will hopefully make North Down an even more attractive place to live, work and visit.
“Whilst most users will not use the bikes to commute to work, introducing Cycle Hire Schemes will give people the chance to try out the bicycle around North Down on the cycle paths and lanes already in place as a result of investment made by North Down Borough Council and the Roads Service with due respect given by all shared path users.
“A number of towns have already rolled out cycle hire schemes with great success. I therefore hope that the report will be available shortly and prove that Cycle Hire Schemes in Bangor and Holywood are indeed viable. A variety of options exist which can be adapted to meet the needs of large and medium towns similar to Bangor and Holywood.
“Earlier this year I visited Dublin and met the Lord Mayor of Dublin Cllr Andrew Montague. Cllr Montague pioneered the Dublin Bikes scheme which has been an enormous success with 95% of people feeling that dublinbikes has had a positive effect on the infrastructure of Dublin.
“Inspired by stories of success from across Europe I am keen to continue championing cycling as a Councillor, Sustrans Cycling Ranger and Member of North Down Cycling Club putting the wheels in motion towards a Bicycle friendly Borough.”
ENDS