Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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197. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether the public bike scheme in Cork should be expanded to county towns on rail links. [15083/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Deputy will know that I am very much in favour of increasing the number of people who choose to make active travel part of their daily journeys. I am glad to say that the Programme for Government - Our Shared Future contains a number of important commitments in the area of active travel, and indeed sustainable mobility generally, that I look forward to implementing in the months and years ahead.

The public bike schemes have been a great success since their launch and subsequent expansion and I am happy to hear the views of others as regards their potential future expansion. A significant contribution toward that success is to ensure the appropriate location of bike stations to allow for good circulation of bikes and people and ensure that individual stations contribute rather than detract from the overall system.

The Deputy raises an interesting point about integrating the schemes with transport hubs and will acknowledge the work already done in that regard in terms of both Kent Station and the Parnell Place Bus Station in Cork city centre.

The Deputy will be aware that as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to cycle and public transport infrastructure. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of the management of public bike schemes. Decisions regarding contracts, operation and expansion of existing and proposed bike schemes fall under the remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA).

Noting the NTA's responsibilities in the matter, I have referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply . Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.