http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-24820459
Not a surprise really - wrong place for a 'pilot'.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Cycling News
"Dumfries bike hire scheme costs £60 per rental"
(10 posts)-
Posted 11 years ago #
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It was a brave attempt to celebrate Kirkpatrick MacMillan, but when I stayed a few times in Dumfries last year I saw relatively (to Edinburgh) few cyclists, so I'm not too surprise either.
Posted 11 years ago # -
It's not that cycling rates are particularly low - we got 60 people to our bike breakfast in September, which is not bad given the size of the town and the fact that it was our first one - but that the size of the area the scheme covered was too small. The orange bikes just don't make that much sense to anyone who cycles regularly, and you need a body of regular users to make a scheme like that work. I've talked to quite a few people about them and most of them just can't see a journey for which it would make sense to cycle that they wouldn't already have a bike to hand to use. A few people use them regularly for particular journeys (eg. getting to the station to avoid locking up their own bike there) but that's not going to make the scheme work.
That said, the people who do use them - including the rare visitors who have persisted through the offputting casual renting system - really like them. It's a shame but I think it was probably the wrong scheme in the wrong place (and not unique - Bath's scheme has a similar history)
Posted 11 years ago # -
I took my road bike when we stayed for a week in Garlieston. The area turned out to be great for cycling. Quiet roads, patient drivers and lots of cycle routes. The region does so much to attract cyclists it's a shame that this scheme is being highlighted.
Posted 11 years ago # -
I agree with Cyclingmollie - the cycling down there is fantastic, although D&G Council has perhaps been outshone by Scottish Borders Council in the bicycle-tourism promotion stakes.
Posted 11 years ago # -
I'd certainly like to explore D&G more. I went down to Annan and was enamored by how pretty it is down there. Must go back for some cycle touring sometime. Once visited Dumfries, its a nice town centre.
Posted 11 years ago # -
If anyone is interested in a tour of the cycling highlights of Dumfries and the surrounding areas (and a go on the Orange bikes - I have a card) just let me know ...
Posted 11 years ago # -
Not for nothing is it one of the most painted areas of Britain, a total magnet for artists.
I stayed with my family on the banks of Loch Ken, and clocked over a hundred miles, it's an absolutely incredible area, it's a completely different aspect of Scotland
Posted 11 years ago # -
The road from Laurieston to Gatehouse is one of the best cycling roads in Scotland.
But at £60 a go, it would be cheaper to buy a Colnago
Posted 11 years ago # -
@ Charterhall
The headline caught me out for a second too. What it means is that the scheme has cost the equivalent of £60 per hire to the council (due to the low usage), not that it costs £60 to the user ;-)
Posted 11 years ago #
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