Next week, Councillors will be debating the next phase of the County Development Plan 2017 – 2023.

I have a number of motions for debate and decision, chiefly I am working to achieve a firm commitment in the next county development plan for a public bike scheme. I am seeking to include the following new objective in the next County Development Plan:

“Provide for a public bike rental scheme at appropriate locations, including stations and other public transport interchanges, which would operate in a complimentary manner to the existing public bike scheme in Dublin City Centre”

With Fingal the fastest growing region in the country and with towns such as Swords expected to grow to small city status, it is vital we plan head for the kind of internal transport model we want as a community. The Minister for Transport has decided that the solution to the transport deficit in Swords and along the M1 corridor is the delivery of New Metro North This is a welcome decision and in particular for the first time, Metro North was rigorously tested against other options including LUAS, Heavy Rail and Rapid Bus. In order to meet the capacity needed to make Metro North viable, we need to be able to deliver commuters to the service from surrounding areas. Park and Ride facilities will be needed but for many people, a more convenient and environmentally friendly way of travelling would be a short distance by bike.

At the moment, Swords is so big, that many people living on the outskirts of the town need to drive to the village or to the Pavilions, clogging up our town, causing traffic congestion and nuisance parking in surrounding estates. Further effort into providing a public bike scheme, as an extension to the Dublin City bike scheme, needs to happen in Fingal and this needs to be included in the County Development Plan.

I am asking all residents in Swords, Donabate, Portrane and the wider Fingal area to voice their support for my Motion and add your voice to the call for a public bike scheme for Fingal.