DUBLIN'S ECOCABS - those three-wheeled bicycle rickshaws that trundle around the inner city - are a "great idea" that should be introduced in other Irish towns, Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan said yesterday.
Launching the second season of the cabs in Dublin, Mr Ryan said the service, which is free to use, was at the vanguard of a more cycle-friendly town.
"They're proving to be a real success," said the Minister, who is a keen cyclist, "and hopefully they'll be introduced in Cork and Limerick . . . but they highlight the need to change the whole Dublin city centre traffic system."
The expanded fleet of 10 ecocabs are back on the streets after a three-month hiatus due to the strong winter winds. Ecocab director Andrew Casey said the cabs were free for passengers as sponsors paid the riders' wages.
Tips were welcome, he added, but not expected.
Signs inside the cab tell the passengers that they are not required to pay anything.
A full-time rider earned about €10 an hour, according to Mr Casey.
"On an average day they might take about 30 people. If you get a euro tip from every person, not that that's expected, then they're getting a very good wage."
Riders must be fit to pedal the 150kg electric-assisted fleet, he said. "We've got former triathletes, ex-couriers, even a football player."
One of the riders, Trinity College nursing student David Gilligan, said the vast majority of his trips were from Stephen's Green to the Spire.
He said he was a great believer in pedal power and cycled on his own bike to get to work.
Mr Gilligan added that city motorists could be a little more considerate to cyclists.
"I'd like to see more respect from drivers to how vulnerable a cyclist is on the road."
Mr Ryan said Dublin's one-way system was a serious problem in town.
The speed it encouraged was dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists.
"Take Stephen's Green - the way the traffic roars around it, it's like a Ben Hur chariot race. Westmoreland Street, Tara Street, Pearse Street - it's a badly designed traffic system, and I hope that the construction of the Metro and the Luas will provide an opportunity for change."
Mr Casey said the authorities could make his life easier by providing more pick-up spots. "We want to see more official eco ranks to give us more access points."
Passengers cannot hail the cabs on the street but must begin their journey from one of five ranks: the Spire on O'Connell Street, either end of Grafton Street, the Central Bank on Dame Street and the Dublin Tourism office.