Council urged to get back up on the saddle again and introduce new Navan bike rental scheme

Meath County Council has been urged to introduce a new bike rental scheme in Navan, a year after the withdrawal of a previous scheme.

Cycling enthusiasts and local representatives have called on the local authority to make good their promise to introduce a new scheme.

The Tier Nextbike scheme, which was launched in Navan in August 2023 proved extremely popular, until Tier, the company behind the scheme pulled out of Ireland.

The scheme had seen 25 push bikes, 25 electric bicycles and electric cargo bikes at various locations around the town, which were available for hire through an app.

Meath Cycling Initiative secretary, Dave Anderson said the bike scheme had been hugely popular and it only ended because the company were pulling out of Ireland.

"It was very successful and there are other companies put there providing a similar service. We would love to see another operator setting up in Navan," he said.

Cllr Eddie Fennessy said he was really disappointed when the bike rental scheme was withdrawn from Navan last year.

“I would love to see a return of the shared bike scheme. I’d like to see similar modes of transport in any future scheme. Navan has decent cycle infrastructure in place and newer schemes at various stages of planning and delivery. A rental scheme would definitely increase usage of that infrastructure. Particularly if the scheme was broadened to include scooters which are quite popular now.

“I encourage the council to do what they can to make this happen.

“The previous scheme was hugely successful and it provided a great alternative for people to use when moving around the town."

Tier removed all of their distinctive green bikes from the town last December and the news was greeted with shock and dismay by the many users of the scheme and public representatives.

The scheme had proved extremely popular and at the September 2024 meeting of Navan Municipal Council, members heard “it is a highly successful scheme with very high usage and the council intends extending it.”

Over 6,000 journeys were made using the Navan shared bike scheme in its first four months of operation and those journeys covered approximately 28,000km. Additionally, roughly 2,000 residents signed up to the cycle service.

The initiative was introduced on 1st August 2023 aimed to promote physical well-being with 25 push bikes and 25 electric bikes available for daily hire through an app.

The idea was relatively simple, you downloaded the app and inserted your details including your payment details.

Then, you simply selected a vacant bike on the app's map, scanned the QR code displayed on the bike or entered the bike number on the app and away you went.

A spokesperson for Meath County Council said it was the intention of the Council to identify and procure a new service provider to operate and manage a new shared bike scheme in Navan in 2026, subject to available funding.