By Jamie Ryan  

Since June of last year, popular taxi app ‘Bolt’ has extended their services to provide the people of Bray Co. Wicklow with electric bicycles.  

These bikes have been a massive success across the town among people of all ages due to their cheap costs and easy accessibility.  

Green Party Councillor for Bray East, Erika Doyle, was one of those involved in getting the scheme up and running in the town.  

“With the introduction of the bikes, there has definitely been a modal shift, which is great because in a town like Bray we have a congestion problem. It’s very hilly as well, so with the pedal assist it has become much more accessible for people that otherwise maybe wouldn’t have used a push bike,” Doyle explained.  

“It’s been a really positive thing for the town, and data from Bolt shows that these are being used even during winter months, because originally, there was a suspicion that they might only be used during the summer, but people are clearly just dressing for the weather and using them regardless which is great.”  

The success of this scheme is partly due to just how easy the bikes are for people to use. Users simply download the Bolt app, scan the barcode on the bike, and they will then be charged 18 cent per minute.  

Once the user completes their journey, they park the bike in one of the ‘park zones’ that can be found on the app or can be identified by a green square on the ground and bike racks.  

Along with a pay as you use option, there are also a variety of subscription passes available to users too, such as a day pass, weekly passes, monthly passes and ‘unlimited unlocks for 30 days’. 

The bikes go up to 25 kilometres per hour, but can be capped at 15 kilometres per hours if users wish.

Sinn Féin Councillor for Bray West, Dermot O’Brien, speaks highly of the impact that the bikes have had in Bray.  

“I would say overall there has been a very positive impact from the introduction of Bolt bikes in Bray. The user numbers are a good reflection of this, and the feedback from local people who see them as an alternative to the car, or as an easy option for getting around the town,” he said.  

“I particularly notice the variety of local users, young and old, as well as tourists and exchange students who benefit from an easy and accessible option to move around the area.” 

“On a personal level, I would use Bolt bikes very often, and they are a wonderful asset to someone who lives on the edge of being on time for meetings, as I bounce from one venue to another around the town.” 

The bikes are easily maintainable due to there being no shock absorbers in their frames, and the tyres not containing air.  

However, although there has been a plethora of extremely positive experiences from Bolt bike users, there have been issues with bikes being damaged, defaced or suffering from wear and tear.  

Councillor O’Brien himself has fallen victim to this, he explained. 

“In recent weeks, I changed my bike four times because of malfunctioning and ultimately, I just walked home which was frustrating,” he said. 

Adam Byrne, 20, regularly uses Bolt bikes to get around the town.  

“The bikes have made such a difference for me. Getting to and from work has become so much handier and it only costs me maximum €3 per journey which is much better than spending it on petrol – not to mention not having to sit in traffic the whole time,” Byrne said.

“Of course, like anyone else who uses them regularly I’ve had one or two issues, but nothing crazy, more so just maybe a lack of maintenance with the brakes and minor damage to the pedals, but overall, I really can’t say any bad about them. I hope they stay around for a long time.”  

The contract between Bolt and Bray Municipal Council has recently been extended for a further year, for locals to enjoy and utilise.