CYCLING:OVER THE summer, Dublin's Phoenix Park has become a haven for tourists and locals exploring the park by bike. Parents with children, couples on tandems and groups of work colleagues on bonding exercises whiz by.
"It should have happened years ago," says Paul McQuaid of Phoenix Park Bike Hire. "It's a beautiful park and perfect for discovery by bike.
"There's so much of the park people haven't seen - it's ridiculous. They come back saying they saw parts they never knew existed."
When McQuaid lodged a proposal with the Office of Public Works to establish a rent-a-bike facility in the 1,760-acre park in early 2007, he was driven by a lifelong, hereditary passion for bikes.
His father Jim McQuaid, who set up McQuaid Cycles in Glasnevin more than 30 years ago, represented Ireland in the Olympics in competitive cycling in 1948.
Five of his six sons went on to follow in his footsteps at Olympic level, while Paul himself was on the Olympic team for Atlanta 1996, but was prevented by a knee injury from competing.
"From the time I could walk I had a bike. It's simply the best way of getting from A to B and when I travel by bike I feel like I've done the right thing. I'm not anti-car. I don't stick my two fingers up at motorists stuck in traffic, but travelling by bike is a lot healthier."
Phoenix Park Bike Hire is at the gatekeeper's hut at the main entrance to the park on Parkgate Street. McQuaid secured a four-year contract for the facility six months ago. Business has been booming since.
"I had a guy from Drumcondra last week who hadn't been on a bike in 48 years and on Saturday morning we guided a group of 56 people from Price Waterhouse Coopers on a tour," says McQuaid.
The competitive prices and the trusting attitude of the business - they don't take a deposit, ID or credit cards - have also grabbed customers' attention.
It costs €20 to rent a bike for a full day or €10 for three hours and McQuaid adapts his group prices as he sees fit. "I put a price on it that's generally much lower than expected and that creates a tremendous amount of goodwill. I hate to see people being ripped off and it's expensive for parents bringing children out."
Frankie, the boxer dog who spends his days at the gatekeeper's hut, is also a huge attraction for children and dog lovers alike.
Next month McQuaid will expand the existing stock of 150 pushbikes to include specially adapted bikes geared at adults and children with special needs.
"I like seeing people cycling around the park. Every day we see people coming back with their bikes with big grins on their faces. It's a privileged place to be." www.phoenixparkbikehire.com