'Beryl' bike share scheme rolled out across city

A new bike and e-bike share scheme has hit the streets of Worcester, aimed at boosting sustainable transport and cutting congestion.

Operated by transport provider Beryl in partnership with Worcester City Council, the scheme will comprise 175 'Beryl' e-bikes and 50 pedal bikes.

These will all be available to hire from a network of 53 bays, meaning the bikes are picked up and dropped off by users at specified locations.

Philip Ellis, CEO of Beryl, told the BBC the company had planned where these locations would be, to prevent them getting in the way of pedestrians and people with mobility scooters.

Mr Ellis said: "Obviously they've got to be somewhere convenient where people want to get to and come from.

"The actual exact location where they go considers however else other people are going to be getting around the city - making sure it's not in the way of pedestrians and mobility scooters."

Users of Beryl bikes in Hereford have cycled more than a million kilometres since 2019, with over 425,000 journeys.

"I think e-bikes are a really useful tool to make it easier to cycle," Mr Ellis said.

"You don't have to switch anything on - it happens automatically.

"As you jump on the bike and start pedalling you'll feel the motor just provide you that assistance and it makes everything so much easier, much lighter and more nimble - the hills become flat.

"I think it really gives people the opportunity to enjoy cycling."

Town investment plan

The scheme was launched on Monday in Cathedral Square, with representatives from Beryl and the council on hand to answer questions, offer help and advice and provide test rides.

The project is part of a £4.5 million investment in active travel under the Worcester Town Investment Plan, which is grant-funded by the government's Towns Fund.

Worcester City Council's corporate director for finance and resource, Shane Flynn, said: "We are delighted to be supporting this scheme which is being funded through the government's Town Investment Plan.

"The Beryl bike and e-bike share scheme will provide a convenient and environmentally friendly way of travelling around the city, fulfilling the Council's commitment to Active Travel whilst helping to reduce traffic and improve air quality."