Beryl E-Bike Rental Service Launches in Leeds
An e-bike rental service has launched in Leeds, called Leeds City Bikes.
It’s said to be the first fully electric public bike hire service in the UK. It’s operated by Beryl, a bike hire company named after Leeds racing cyclist Beryl Burton.
The cost of the scheme is £2.86 million. The money came from the Carbon Mitigation Fund – a fund embedded within the Transforming Cities Fund, which was part of the devolution deal for the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
40 Docking Stations and 300 E-Bikes
There are currently around 200 e-bikes at 40 docking stations. The number of e-bikes will rise to 300 during the course of this Autumn.
How it Works and Prices
The Beryl e-bikes can be unlocked using a smartphone app. There is also the option of using a code sent via SMS.
There are four different payment plans. The descriptions are a bit confusing, but the rates appear to be as follows:
- pay as you ride (£1 unlock fee and 16p per minute)
- commuter pass (£36 monthly pass and £1 unlock fee)
- flexi pass (£32 monthly pass and no unlock fee)
- day pass (£9 pass and no unlock fee)
Councillor Helen Hayden and Mayor Tracy Brabin
Councillor Helen Hayden, who is Leeds City Council’s Executive Member for Infrastructure and Climate, said:
‘A public bike hire scheme has been a long ambition of Leeds, and it’s a crucial part of offering quick and sustainable journeys across the city centre.
We want Leeds to be a city where you don’t need to own a car and a key part of that is expanding and supporting our cycling network’.
cllr helen hayden
Earlier in 2023, Cllr Hayden was quoted as follows:
‘We know that compared to conventional push bikes, e-bikes are an easier access point for new users including older people, people with limited physical strength, people who have limited cycling confidence or experience and people who are looking to take up cycling. I hope that Leeds City Bikes will encourage more people to try cycling without the investment of buying their own bike’.
cllr helen hayden
West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin said:
‘Bringing an e-bike hire scheme to our region was one of my Mayoral pledges and I’m excited we’re using bikes named after Leeds’ cycling legend Beryl Burton.
We want to grow our economy, connect people with opportunities and tackle the climate emergency. A reliable, inclusive transport network, which puts walking and cycling at the heart of our everyday journeys, is key to this’.
mayor tracy brabin