Sir, I applaud the initiative taken by the Green Party in putting bicycles on the streets of Dublin (November 6th). The idealism of the plan is refreshing, even if ultimately naive. However many thousands are provided, that is the number that will show up repainted, and with new saddles, for sale in Galway, Limerick and Leitrim.
The Green Party transport spokesperson points to Copenhagen, La Rochelle and Portland, Oregon as towns in which the scheme has worked. I don't know the situation in Copenhagen and Portland, but in La Rochelle the bikes (and locks for them) are free and readily available, but are held in a supervised park.
A would be user must hand in a form of identity as security before riding away. When you bring back the bike (or perhaps a bike I have not tested this), in two hours or two years you get back your ID card.
Would this system not be workable in Dublin, with a number of sites around the city, perhaps incorporated into existing carparks. It may not be the same as picking up a bike as you stroll along, but at least it would mean that the bikes don't go AWOL within a week. Yours, etc., Upper Newcastle, Galway.