The cost of the Dublin Bikes scheme is set to rocket by 50 percent.
While it's currently funded through subscription charges and sponsorship, Dublin City Council is subsidising the scheme and paid almost €400,000 towards it last year.
However the local authority says it can no longer afford to help pay for its running costs.
The subscription charge is set to go up to 30 euro a year and comes as the local authority draws up expansion plans.
It's hoped bike stations can be located as far north as Whitehall, and out to Rathgar on the south side.
The popular bike hire service has been operating since 2009.
