Up to €500,000 in sponsorship could be needed to fund an expansion of the Dublin Bikes scheme.
The plan is to almost treble the amount of bikes to 1,500 at 102 stations across the city from Kilmainham to the Docklands.
JCDecaux provided the original 550 bikes at 44 stations as part of package in exchange for outdoor advertising.
The council is now proposing to pay the company to provide the extra service, which is due to be completed in full by July 2014.
According to a report circulated to councillors, the National Transport Authority will provide most of the €6m capital cost of providing the infrastructure and bikes.
But there will be a shortfall of up to €500,000 between subscription income and the €2m annual operating costs.
City council officials are proposing to seek sponsorship to meet the cost.
Councillors are due to vote on the plan next Monday.
There are plans to eventually have 10,000 bikes covering the suburbs from Whitehall on the northside to Clonskeagh on the southside.
