6,000 people used Dublin's new rent-a-bike system in its first week, according to a delighted Dublin City Council.

The scheme has been so successful that Dublin software firm Fusio has designed an application, or "app", for the Apple iPhone which allows users to check instantly how many bikes are available at any given bicycle station.

"It's location-based and uses a GPS compass in the phone so you can avoid the frustration of turning up to find there are no bikes," said a company spokesman.

Similar information is available on lots of mobiles devices at http://dublinbikes.mobi.

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