Vandalism of Portlaoise electric rental bikes 'disappointing'

Some vandalism has taken place of Portlaoise E-bikes it has been revealed as the rental scheme reaches 18 months in operation.

Laois County Council has said that the vandalism caused them to remove up to two parking bays, calling it "disappointing".

Director of Services Simon Walton told the Leinster Express / Laois Live that there are currently 56 bicycles in operation, with 48 parking spots around the town.

"Laois County Council subsidises the service and that costs approximately €35,000 per annum.

"There have been a number of instances of vandalism which is disappointing. We have removed one or two e-bike parking locations as a result of vandalism," Mr Walton said.

He says that the routes cover a total of 23 sq km.

Usage of the bikes peaked in the months after their launch to almost 4,000 rentals a month, falling after the launch of the Portlaoise bus service nearly a year ago.

On average 2,400 cycle trips a month, about 80 a day, are now taken through Portlaoise on the public Bolt electric rental bikes in Portlaoise town. Usage is highest during good weather, reaching 3,000 last August, dipping to 1,600 last January.

The council says that the scheme is a success, showing that on average, the bikes are used once or twice daily.

"Bolt have been providing e-bikes for hire in Portlaoise for almost 18 months. The success of the scheme has continued throughout 2025 and the latest figures to the end of November showed that 26,300 trips have been taken in 2025 by e-bike," the council said in its December report.

The green eco friendly bikes were launched 18 months ago by the National Transport Authority and Laois County Council in July, 2024, to entice people out of cars and make it easier and healthier to get around the town's road network. 

Initially 50 bikes were offered, parked at 40 locations around the county town, with another 20 bikes added later. 

The pedal-assisted electric bikes can be ridden by anyone who registers with their bank card, and have a range of up to 60km on a single charge. Designed for short trips they have a maximum speed of 25kmph.

The council say the aim of the Portlaoise Ebike scheme is to boost connectivity and sustainable travel in and around Portlaoise. 

The town also now has its own bus route and is getting a fully joined up Triogue walkway, to fulfil its national Pilot Low Carbon Town status in the National Development Plan.

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Bike rides cost €0.18 per minute with an unlock fee of €0.20. Bike locations include the council's carpark beside Portlaoise Train Station, the Lidl carpark, Lyster Square, Market Square, and the Abbeyleix Road, while parking spots for the bikes are dotted around many locations like the Borris Road, Kilminchy bus stop, Portlaoise hospital and near the primary schools at Summerhill. A live map of where bikes are parked is on the Bolt App.