DublinBikes to expand to Grangegorman

— 10 new stations expected around Grangegorman
— Extra 1 million trips taken since April
— Capital’s public bike scheme now has 60,000 long term subscribers

DublinBikes is to expand around Grangegorman where Dublin IT are building a unified campus.

UPDATE NO.1: The Department of Transport has confirmed to this site that the expansion is to include approximately 10 new stations, which will be focused in and around the Grangegorman campus. A spokesman for the department said that full details will be announced at a later date.

However, by this website’s estimation,  10 stations spread out using the DublinBikes spacing of ~300-400 meters around Grangegorman should include parts of Broadstone, Phibsborough and Manor Street / Stoneybatter.

The outline of the expansion was  included in details published this morning of extra Department of Transport spending of €100 million, across rail, buses, roads, tourism and sports projects.

The Department outlined: “€1m for city bike expansion and €1m for cycling safety projects. Expanding the catchment area of the Dublin Bikes scheme to the wider Grangegorman Campus area. Increasing cycle lanes and facilities.”

UPDATE NO.2: The National Transport Authority and Dublin City Council have yet to respond to requests for further information. However, Dublin City Council has issued a statement in the last hour welcoming the expansion of DublinBikes.

The council said today that users of the system have taken 11 million trips — that means one million trips were taken in just under three months since 10 million trips were announced on April 23. It also said there is now over 60,000 long term subscribers and the up to 15,000 trips are made on the bikes per day.

In a press release, the council said: “This investment will enable the extension of the Coca-Cola Zero dublinbikes scheme to serve the wider Grangegorman Campus. The expanded bike scheme will provide for improved linkages between Grangegorman Campus and the city centre and will greatly benefit residents, workers and current and future students at the Campus.”

Jim Keogan, assistant chief executive of Dublin City Council’s planning and economic development department said: “Dublin city has had a world class public bike hire scheme since 2009. The scheme has exceeded all expectations and over 11 million journeys have been taken so far. The strategic network expansion to Grangegorman and the surrounding area will further support the growth of cycling in the city and enhance the reputation of Dublin as a forward thinking and innovative city.”

DublinBikes currently has 101 stations and 1,500 bikes.

Referring to the wider announcement of €100 million in extra transport funding, Minister Paschal Donohoe said in a statement: “Following on from our economic collapse, the level of funding where land transport is concerned has been dramatically reduced. Where land transport is concerned investment fell from a peak of €3 billion (1.6% of GDP) in 2008 to a historic low level of €850 million (0.5% of GDP) in 2014. As a result a gap developed between what was available and what was needed to adequately maintain, manage and renew existing infrastructure. This Government has been working hard to return our public finances to order so that we can build a better future and provide the levels of investment we require to meet the economic and social needs of our people.”