Solar Powered Cycling Point in DLR

Flat tyre, flat mobile phone battery and flat out tired? No problem. The Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s Energy Team promotes renewable energy, sustainability and healthy travel in this new digital age.

The team has sourced the world’s first Monna bench with smart cycling equipment and solar panels to provide charging capability for a phone or bike.

“People who are walking or cycling by, can stop off to pump up their tyres, fix their bike, charge their mobile device or just take a rest on the bench” said An Cathaoirleach, Councillor Ossian Smyth after he gave the final approval to the Monna demonstration model.

He continued “dlr positively encourages all members of the community to cycle at all life stages and abilities as a mode of sustainable transport that delivers environmental, health and economic benefits to both the individual and the community.”

"Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council wants to demonstrate the potential of renewable energy by piloting two solar powered benches with mobile phone and electric bike charging facilities, one each to be located on the east and west side of the County. The product also ties in with the Council’s Corporate goals of promoting a clean and healthy environment, sustainable transport and digital data initiatives," according to Andrée Dargan, County Architect and dlr Energy Performance Officer.

The demonstration model will be on display in County Hall, Dún Laoghaire from 13 May. The solar benches will be located in Sandyford and Dún Laoghaire, close to cycle paths before the end of June.

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council's Cycle Map and route leaflets are available to help cyclists plan their routes when cycling in the County and can be found at http://www.dlrcoco.ie/en/travel-transport/traffic-management/cycling

Features include;

• Two wireless charging pads and two charging ports for wired phones
• Two smart electrical sockets that provide energy for charging electric bicycles
• An air compressor, bike repair tools, a bike stand
• Sensors that will collect data on temperature, humidity, energy production and consumption, mobile phone and electric bicycle charging