City e-bike hire scheme links up with train firm

"Beryl Bikes" have become a familiar sight in Leeds city centre over the last two years

Train operator LNER has been announced as the lead sponsor of the Leeds City Bikes scheme.

The "Beryl Bikes" e-bike rental scheme launched in 2023 to encourage people to make more sustainable journeys, with bays located at key locations across the city.

Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, said the partnership with the rail firm would "escalate it to a new level".

Operator Beryl said the e-bikes, which were previously yellow, are being redecorated to match the LNER branding.

Philip Ellis, chief executive officer of Beryl, said: "People will notice the bikes turning red alongside the docking stations.

"It is a really cool partnership linking together public transport with a new innovative mode of transport too."

The operator said its growing fleet will soon have "well over 500 bikes" in and around the city centre.

Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin says the demand is there for active travel

Mr Ellis said the bikes were also being upgraded from first generation to second generation models.

The Labour regional mayor said: "Bikes for hire are great, but electric bikes are really important because of our topography - especially going up the hill to the hospital or the universities, you really do need a bit of extra help.

"We have had over 200,000 rides since the scheme opened and 2,500 extra travellers every month, so this does show you that people are up for active travel."

Brabin said the e-bikes would eventually become part of the Weaver Network - bringing together "bus, tram, rail and e-bikes" under a single brand.

The e-bike hire scheme launched in the city in 2023

Warrick Dent, safety and operations director at LNER, said: "This is a really cost-effective and healthy way of getting in and out of Leeds city centre.

"When the opportunity came up it was the perfect fit for us."

The firm is named after legendary Leeds cyclist Beryl Burton, who won 96 national championships and seven world titles.

Burton, who was the best British all-rounder for 25 years in a row, died in 1996.

Beryl currently runs dozens of other e-bike hire schemes across the UK.

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