Belfast Bikes Public Hire Scheme Extends Into East Belfast

The Coca-Cola Zero Sugar Belfast Bikes public hire scheme has expanded into east Belfast.

A new docking station has been installed at the C.S. Lewis Square and marks the first phase of the bike scheme's expansion into the east of the city, with three more stations planned for 2017.

New stations are also planned for the Falls Road and Grosvenor Road in west Belfast and Carlisle Circus in north Belfast.

Lord Mayor, Alderman Brian Kingston, said: "We're delighted how popular the Belfast Bikes scheme has become in its first 19 months of operation.

"Seeing the diverse range of people using the bikes throughout the city, from business people to students and tourists, tells us that people are embracing the scheme – something that is backed up by our membership figures, with more than 4,500 annual subscribers and over 4,600 casual subscriptions to date. With an average of over 580 bicycle rentals each day, the number of people using Belfast Bikes as a healthy, convenient and enjoyable way to travel within the city continues to grow – and we are fast approaching 350,000 journeys completed on Belfast Bikes."

Wendy Langham, Connswater Community Greenway Programme Manager said: "The Belfast Bikes docking station at the C.S. Lewis Square is a great addition and is already extremely popular. Local people are able to commute to the city centre and visitors are able to explore the east of the city, including the C.S. Lewis Square and EastSide Visitor Centre.

"The C.S. Lewis Square docking station is at the intersection of the Comber and Connswater Greenways, a key hub for cyclists. Once the Holywood Arches to Victoria Park section of the Connswater Community Greenway is open next year this docking station will connect to the existing stations in Titanic Quarter, providing a cycle friendly route from east Belfast to Titanic Quarter."

(CD)