The scheme will have 112 electric bikes available at commuter locations in south county Dublin, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Finglas and Fingal. Among the 14 sites are Swords Main Street, the Crowne Plaza hotels in Santry and Blanchardstown, the Maldron Hotel at Newlands Cross, Park West Business Campus in Cherry Orchard and the Firhouse Road in Tallaght.

The Trinity researchers, led by Brian Caulfield, associate professor and head of civil engineering, will use the data collected to analyse commuter behaviour as people move to e-mobility schemes, identify key mobility patterns, calculate carbon savings, and evaluate commercial potential.

Prof Caulfield said: “The research conducted on this project will be led by the Trinity Centre for Transport Research in partnership with the ESB and the micro-mobility providers. Our research will seek to examine the usage of these new e-bikes and the potential decarbonisation of transport as a result of this pilot.

“Before the end of the decade the transport sector must reduce its emissions by 51%. Pilots like these will show us pathways to achieving this goal.”