Westport councillor expresses safety concern with Lime bikes

THE Lime e-bike hire service which is being introduced to Westport will provide free helmets and prevent users from activating the bike if they are too drunk, councillors were informed.

Lime, the world’s largest shared e-scooter and e-bike operator, recently announced plans to expand into Westport following a successful 12-month pilot project in Castlebar and are currently liaising with council officials in Westport to identify locations to park the bikes.

There were concerns among some members of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District about the introduction of Lime e-bikes in Westport over how safe it will be to operate in a 'party town' like Westport.

Independent councillor Christy Hyland said that he was not comfortable with the idea of promoting cycling without a helmet and felt it would be dangerous if someone got on a bike after spending an evening in a pub.

“I have huge concerns that people are encouraged to get up on bicycles without a helmet in Westport. Are we going to see people getting up on these bikes at 8 o'clock at night with no helmet? There are loads of examples of people in our area of not wearing helmets and unfortunately the consequences have been terrible.

“I know they are operating in Castlebar but Westport is a different town. I am genuine in my concerns regarding safety,” he told the monthly meeting of the municipal district.

He was supported in his concerns by fellow Independent Cllr John O'Malley who said that he had concerns regarding people cycling without a helmet.

However, Fine Gael councillor Peter Flynn had a differing view saying he was reassured after meeting representatives from Lime that any safety concerns he had were addressed. He explained that there is a mechanism on the bike which prevents people cycling after 11pm if they are deemed incoherent of cycling.

“Ultimately it is down to individual people making individual choices,” he said. “There is a mechanism in the bike that at 11 o'clock it makes you do a test to see if you are coherent enough to use the bike and if you are not it won't be activated. Maybe we should have something similar in our cars which might save a lot of road deaths over the years. I have to say it is working well in Castlebar and worth the trial and the feedback around the country is very positive,” he said.

To use the e-bikes in Westport and Castlebar, riders will need to pay an initial unlock fee of €1 with a charge of 15 cent per minute for the rest of the ride. The speed of the bike will be restricted to 7 km per hour in the town centre and 27 km per hour outside the town.

Jim Power of Mayo County Council who is liaising with Lime explained that the company will provide a free helmet to anyone who wishes to have one.

“From liaising with them [Lime] and Castlebar it does seem a positive move and another plus for Westport to say Lime are operating because they are worldwide and people who cycle recognise their brand. Lime has safety measures they try to implement around the world but it is a personal choice,” Mr Power explained.

Despite the reassurances, Cllr Hyland expressed his concerns saying that he would like to hear the opinions of the Road Safety Authority before he is reassured.

“I live in the real world... Westport is a party town and I am worried. I would love the views of the RSA on this,” he commented.