Nov 09 - “Redibike” - Gibraltar’s New Bicycle Hire Scheme
The Government has announced the imminent launch of a totally new bicycle hire scheme: “Redibike”
The scheme will be based in locations around the city and along commuter routes. The scheme aims to provide low cost access to bicycles and to encourage cycling as a viable and sustainable transport option.
It is hoped the scheme will be taken up by commuters, business travellers and leisure users to reduce car use and increase active travel. Phase one comprises of 105 bicycles and 120 docking points spread over 11 locations. Phase two of the scheme, which will be announced at a later date, will include additional stations at new locations and an increase in the bicycles available for hire.
The Government says that the previous scheme had to be discontinued because it was fraught with problems due to the low quality of equipment that was supplied and the unavailability of spare parts, leading to the unavoidable collapse of the scheme.
The Government is also delighted to announce that it has entered into a private/public sector partnership with Gib Oil, which has agreed to exclusively sponsor the first phase of the scheme and all bicycles will carry their logo.
Works on the scheme infrastructure have already begun by removing the old docking stations and preparing the ground for the installation of the new stations. Some of the old stations were being used by cyclists as locking rails for their own bicycles. Where this has been the case, and in order not to deprive cyclists of this facility, the Government will provide alternative cycle racks.
The Scheme chosen is produced by Hourbike, a tried and tested UK company that has installed and operates similar systems in various British cities, including Sheffield, Reading, Liverpool and Dumfries.
The Minister for Traffic, Transport and Technical Services, Paul Balban, said “I am pleased to announce that Government received a consignment of bicycles and their associated infrastructure on 5th August. All enabling works for the bicycle stations has now been completed and we are aiming to be in a position to launch the scheme in early 2016. I am especially grateful to Gib Oil, our private sector partners for sponsoring and supporting this scheme.”
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