THE popular public bike scheme, dublinbikes, which runs in the capital, may be coming to Limerick if funding can be secured.

A meeting is due to take place in the Limerick City Gallery of Art in Pery Square on November 14,where the idea of such a scheme in the city will be discussed.

Read more

The Smarter Travel Proposal will cost €lOm and the implementation of the proposal would require upgrading of junctions and the creation of a designated, high quality cycle lane between the University and the city centre with adequate surface, lighting and security cameras. There is also a new Facebook page that calls on the people of Limerick to support a scheme similar to the one in Dublin, though the page provides little information on the Dublin project or who is operating the page itself. The Dublin scheme is a public private partnership and it is envisioned that the Limerick scheme will be the same. As soon as the Dept. of the Environment approves the scheme, it will be put out to tender by the council.

Limerick City Council also hosts an annual bicycle parade, which will take place towards the end of this semester.

Originally published in An Focal, University of Limerick

“They’ve always kept themselves a very English-based, hand-made, crafted company,” says Mannering. “They’ve completely managed to keep away from the whole Chinese mass produced market.”

These special cycles are sold in every European country and there’s a 14 month waiting list if you want one. So what’s their allure?

According to Mannering, “it’s the design of the fold really. The complete fold takes around about four and a half seconds. Their lightness is very important too.”

Marty has made it his business to service these bicycles, establishing himself as the only Brompton and Brooks (specialist saddles) workshop, service and repair agent outside of Dublin.

“Brompton is a very unique product. We had to spend two years dealing with Brompton, courting them if you like, before they would speak to us. And they actually flew in over here to meet us, check out our facilities and see who we were and what our ethos was for the future.”

And his ethos is certainly one of dedication to a cause. Mannering has also established the country’s first and only Brompton Owners’ Club. “The Club is set up because of the lack of awareness of Bromptons that I think exists in Ireland,” he says. “So my ethos is always that if something’s very successful in the UK, then why shouldn’t it be very successful in Ireland?”

And that’s probably the ethos you need in Ireland’s economic climate. Brompton has been an enormous success right across Europe, after all. “I think there’s no reason, other than lack of public awareness that Brompton shouldn’t be a massive success here.” It’s easy to get involved in the club. Simply log on to Mannering’s website www.foldingbikes.ie, click a link to the club homepage and you’re off. You can also submit details of your Brompton and an image. The club is new, however, so its development is in its early stages.

“The initial objective is to make a date so lots of Brompton owners can meet. And if we meet, then of course from that, there’ll be lots of people who are either experienced in Brompton or who have experienced difficulties in getting hold of parts or getting services carried out”

Mannering envisages a very interactive club. “Simply, we’re putting it out there as a forum so that Brompton owners can get together,” he says. “One of the beauties of having such a light, folding bike is that it will be easy to get the first meeting off the ground at any location. The bicycles are so easy to transport.” So it seems the Brompton could quite easily kick off as a new cult item in Ireland. “I’m so amazed that there’s nothing here for Brompton people. It’s the usual scenario. You have to go to England to get you bits n’ bobs and your parts,” he says. Marty spent quite a while in the North East of England and believes having links overseas has aided his business know-how.

“I’ve come through the last big recession in England. I’m not fearful of what recessions are all about. And I just see an opportunity and I go for it. I think, ‘right, let’s do this, why not? Why aren’t people on Brompton bikes all over Ireland?”‘

Industrious as ever, Mannering has also put a proposal forward to the Irish Tourist Board for funding to run Limerick City Brompton tours. “Limerick City could become the Brompton Capital of Ireland,” he reveals. “Duck boats up and down limerick city aren’t the answer.”

“I can picture eight or nine people on a tour on Brompton bikes, flying around the city on a bicycle, doing the tour and when they get to a place where they have to go into, fold the bike and carry it.”

“So these people are walking around the Hunt Museum and they’ve got their bicycles. There’s no worry about leaving them outside or getting them stolen or anything like this.

“I can picture it. Wouldn’t it be lovely to see them sitting by the Shannon with these Brompton bicycles next to them, ready to fold up and off they go?”

Marty Mannering is also an expert in Electric Bicycles and provides the world’s only Electric Bicycle holidays, a feat for which he receives over 300,000 hits on his website every month. His company is called GoEco and his website is www.foldingbikes.ie. He is based in Eyon, Cappamore, Co. Limerick.

Originally published in An Focal, University of Limerick

Let’s see similar schemes for Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford etc. …

Similar concept to our map …