trike

Even before the end of the UK City of Culture 2013 period, the iconic Peace Bridge, as the gateway to Ebrington Square and St Columbs’ Park has become a long-lasting feature of the city.

With the expected influx of visitors during the summer period quite a number of older people will unfortunately be unable to have the pleasure of crossing the Peace Bridge.

With this in mind the proposition is to set up a Tricycle system which would run throughout the day between Guildhall Square and Ebrington and Ebrington to Guildhall Square. The trip across the bridge could also take in a visit to the St Columba figure at the Park.

Initially this could be a pop-up business run from a suitably decorated shipping container doubling as a customers waiting area during working hours and secure overnight parking space for the trikes.

The idea is twofold in that it offers an entirely new service to visitors to the City and would also create job opportunities for the young unemployed. It is envisaged that young people will be the operators of the tricycles with the prospect, if suitable, of becoming self employed.

At the outset a licence should be limited to one service supplier thus keeping control to prevent the Bridge becoming a proverbial racetrack. With the expansion of the cycle tracks up and down the west bank of the Foyle, if the demand is there, further licences could issued for additional service suppliers.

It would be preferable if the service were a City project or in some way grant-aided. This would ensure maximum assistance to the job seekers rather than profit to an individual or an organisation for this potentially profit-making scheme.
Start off with six tricycles.
Operators would be based on the number of hours allowed weekly.

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