Sir, - Starting this week, and following the success of Copenhagen's City Bike system, Helsinki will have its own City Bike system. A specially designed bicycle, parked at a multi-bike stand, can be hired by just popping a coin into the stand to release it, much as one does with a shopping trolley. The bike can be later reparked at any one of 25 multibike stands throughout the city.
To deter theft, the City Bikes are conspicuous by their basic and distinct design, their bright colours and advertisement logos. A similar City Bike system could be incorporated into plans to improve Dublin's environment. - Yours, etc.,
Niall O'Donoghue, Narva, Finland.