One bicycle has been reported stolen under the new Dublinbikes rental scheme, and two more have not been returned, Dublin City Council has said.
A spokesman for the council said the bike which was taken while locked to a lamppost over the weekend was the first to be stolen under the scheme.
Two other bikes hired out were not returned within the 24 hour timeframe as required.
“These are the first remotely serious incidents that have happened since the launch earlier this month,” the spokesman said.
Under the scheme, all users must give a €150 guarantee using either a credit card or a bank draft, which is taken if the bicycle is not returned.
The scheme, which was launched earlier this month, has already had “in and around 10,000 long and short-term” subscribers, according to the council spokesman.
The scheme is similar to the one that has been operating in Paris, Lyons, Copenhagen and 15 other cities.