*Photograph: Arthur Ellis
IRELAND’s first low carbon bike share scheme has launched in Shannon.
CoMotion Mobility Solutions Ltd who have a headquarters in Sligo and recently set up a base at the Future Mobility Campus in Shannon will operate the scheme via its app.
Bikes will be located on street 24/7 across the Shannon Free Zone and Shannon Town, they can be rented by paying a €1 unlocking fee and then just 1c per minute thereafter.
Local businesses and elected members of the Shannon Municipal District have sponsored the scheme. Sponsors include, Shannon Group, EI Electronics, Clare County Council, Zagg International, Fine Grain Properties, Shannon Springs Hotel, Shannon Leisure Centre, Shannon Chamber of Commerce, Shannon Skillnet and Future Mobility Campus Ireland.
Emma Dobbyn of CoMotion pinpointed this backing as a strong aspect of the scheme. She said, “The scheme is made viable by the support of all the sponsors. Their willingness to back the scheme and provide additional sustainable mobility services for the region is a sign of their commitment to the local community and their employees”.
Bikes are made from recycled aluminium, further boosting its green credentials, Emma outlined. “Recycled Aluminium uses less than 5% of the energy resources required to manufacture aluminium from raw materials. It is essential to CoMotion that we provide a home-grown, environmentally conscious, solution to provide services to rural communities and corporate clients that wouldn’t normally have access to these services due to population size. Companies can also use their involvement in the scheme to offset their own carbon emissions so it’s a beneficial arrangement for all parties involved”.
