One Millionth Dublinbike Journey

Less than one year after being set up, the Dublin Bike scheme is a runaway success, and last week a landmark was passed, with the one millionth journey taken.

Joe Murray, of Smithfield, used one of the bikes to cycle to the cinema after work and ended up winning an all-expenses paid trip to Paris.

Under the scheme, 450 bicycles are available at 40 stations in Dublin city center, between the two canals from 5.30am to 12.30am.

Would-be cyclists register with Dublin city council, giving their credit card details and an annual subscription of €10. Visitors to the city can buy a three-day card for just €2.

Rental of the bikes is then completely free for the first half hour - which is long enough for most journeys in the city center.

After that, it costs 50 cents for the first hour, rising to €6.50 for four hours.

You just pick the bike up at one station, and drop it off at another.

Users must guarantee the bike for $150 - that money is only debited in the event of the bike being stolen or not returned within 24 hours.

The scheme was launched in September 2009 by Dublin City Council and JC Deceaux, an advertising agency which maintains the service in return for advertising space around the city.

At the time, the scheme was greeted with bemusement.

Most people predicted the bikes would be stolen, vandalised or thrown in the Liffey!

But that hasn't happened.

Instead, nearly 40,000 people have registered with Dublin City Council, one million journeys have been made, and there has been only one report of a bicycle been stolen.

The amazing success has even shocked Cllr Andrew Montague (Lab) who first proposed the scheme.

"Our target was to sign up 2,000 members in the first year," he said, attributing its success to the low fee - similar schemes cost €30 in Paris and €54 in London.

Now, there are plans to expand the service, increasing the number of bicycles and stations.