New bike shelters for County Roscommon schools

Several Roscommon schools are in line for new bike shelters by the end of the year as part of a €1.4m investment programme nationwide, the Roscommon Herald has learned.

At the end of 2023 following a tender process, An Taisce awarded Rocklyn Engineering Ltd a two year contract for the manufacture, delivery, and installation of cycle racks, cycle shelters and scooter parking.

The projected spend in 2024 on this national programme, which includes five Roscommon schools this year, is expected to be more than €1.4m, and part of an overall €4m framework agreement.

Cycle parking has already been delivered in 19 counties, and a spokesperson for An Taisce told the Herald that these facilities would be installed in the five Roscommon schools by the end of the year.

Two of the schools are located in North Roscommon, two in the west of the county and one in mid-Roscommon. The facilities identified for the schools include 20 space “toast racks” and shelters, and scooter racks.

The spokesperson said the number of Roscommon schools receiving cycle parking next year cannot yet be confirmed as the applications for 2025 are not yet open.

“Parking has been installed at 27 schools in Roscommon since 2021,” she added.

The spokesperson pointed out that works had been completed at 105 schools to date in 2024 and another 118 are due for completion by the end of this year.

The original An Taisce tender noted that about 360 school locations nationally would require cycle parking and/or shelters over the duration of the two year contract.

The tender also outlined that approximately 50 school locations nationally would require scooter parking. It said schools may require one or all three pieces of infrastructure.