Portlaoise has Ireland's first upcycled bike library
The new bike storage unit at the People's Park, Portlaoise. Photo: Laois County Council
THE first upcycled bike library in Ireland has been rolled out in Portlaoise.
The first-of-its-kind initiative was launched at the town’s People’s Park, when delighted primary school pupils enjoyed their first spin around the Learn to Bike park.
While the infamous Leinster House bike shelter cost a head-spinning €336,000, locals can rest assured that the thrifty Portlaoise project cost a mere fraction of that amount and will benefit citizens far more.
A ‘bike amnesty’ for donations of unwanted bicycles saw pre-loved machines rolling in to Laois County Council, which had them upcycled by mechanics. Other key elements included the development of a bike hanger storage unit.
Launched by the council on Wednesday 11 December, the venture gives primary level students access to bikes for cycle skill training, supporting safer and more sustainable travel under the Portlaoise Travel Cluster Project.
A council ‘spokesperson’ said: ‘Imagine a world where students have access to bikes, learn to cycle safely and embrace sustainable travel - our new bike library makes it a reality.’ At the launch, students from Maryborough NS and Portlaoise Educate Together NS took off on their first spin around the Learn to Bike park, smiling, laughing and waving at each other to practise their indicator skills.
The spokesperson added that collaboration between various council departments was vital to the scheme’s success, with their teamwork creating lasting benefits for the community.
The project was developed by the council’s Climate Action Team, while the Environment Section ran a bike amnesty for donations of unwanted bikes and had them upcycled by professional mechanics.
A bike hanger storage unit was supplied by the Active Travel Section, funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA) and the Projects Office installed a concrete pad to anchor the bike storage unit securely.
