Dublin City Council hopes to have a contractor appointed to roll out and run its Bike Bunker scheme by the end of Q2 2025, by the end of June.
Bike Bunkers allow residents who do not have secure storage access to an on-street locker unit; one of the lockers trialled to date is pictured above.
In an update on the Bike Bunkers scheme, the council said: “The second stage of the procurement process began on 02.12.2024 and closed on 04.02.2025. Review of the submitted tender documents, demonstrations and negotiations will continue throughout March.”
It added: “Dublin City Council aims to secure a service to deliver approximately 300 secure bicycle storage units to be installed and in operation over the duration of the Framework.”
At the council’s monthly meeting last week, Cllr Gayle Ralph (FG) said: “On the bike bunkers, I see the tendering process closed in February and I’m just wondering where are we now with the roll out of the 300 Bike Bunkers and has an operator been selected and have there any locations been identified if there was a bit more of a report that’d be great because it’s a very welcome initiative?”
In reply, Brendan O’Brien, the head of the transport section of the council, said: “Regarding Bike Bunkers, that is in the process in the tender process. It’s a negotiated procedure, so we’re moving through that. We hope to still have somebody appointed to that by the end of quarter two.”
Cargo bicycle scheme for nonprofit organisations
Cllr Ralph also asked about the issue with the cargo bicycle scheme for nonprofit organisations.
The council said that it views its cargo bike for businesses and non-profit organisation project as successful, but said there is an issue for non-profit organisations.
The report to councillors said: “Due to the new limitations of the project which were uncovered in 2024, when the first non-profit organisation completed their 12 month contract and were left without a cargo bike, and returned to using volunteers’ own vehicles, we are actively seeking a funding stream to continue their cycling journey.”
O’Brien said: “On the cargo bikes, we are looking for funding at the moment from the NTA.”
Good idea. Bike theft is a huge problem in the city.
Are they insured while locked in the bunker?
While I don’t know about insurance, you need an app to open the bunker. I guess if someone opens the bunker with their phone (which would have involved creating an account) and then steal the bike, it should be easier to catch the culprit. Without having a bunker to open doesn’t have such logging.