Bike share scheme hits million kilometre milestone

The scheme launched in 2019, allowing people to hire a bike via an app

Users of a city's bike share scheme have covered more than 1,000,000km (621,371 miles) over 425,000 journeys.

Hereford's Beryl bike scheme was launched in 2019.

Herefordshire Council said it had helped reduce congestion and improve the health of residents.

Richard Vaughan, the council's sustainability and climate change manager, said reaching the milestone in just under five years "shows just how popular the bike hire scheme is in the city."

Beryl chief executive and co-founder Phil Ellis said: “We know, from talking to our users, that our vehicles are also encouraging people to adopt more sustainable long-term transport habits.

“Of those asked, 60% of Beryl riders in Hereford said they now cycle more often or much more often since joining Beryl, while 46% said they have reduced their use of cars and 44% have reduced their use of taxis."

The council said that industry calculations showed nearly 40 tonnes of carbon emissions had been saved as a result of the scheme.

Beryl offers customers a choice of "pay-as-you-ride", with a £1 unlocking fee plus 5p per minute, or longer-term packages for those planning to use them regularly.