The first phase of a new bike rental scheme has launched on Oxford Road.
The new bikes are available to rent and return at ‘docking stations’ all along Oxford Road in the opening phase of Transport for Greater Manchester’s new Bee Network cycle hire scheme.
There are two types of bikes available, both traditional push bikes and electric ones and they are able to hire through the Beryl app.
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The bikes are great value for money. However, there is a price difference in the rentals of these cycles.
To rent a pedal bike, it costs just 50p to unlock it and then 5p per minute of riding.
For an electric bike, it is £1 to unlock, and 10p per minute of use.
To celebrate the launch, new users will be able to ride for free for fifteen minutes today (November 18) and tomorrow (November 19).
Unlike Mobikes, which were removed from the city due to vandalism back in 2018, these bikes have to be returned to docking stations around the city.
The new Beryl bikes have also been designed to be ‘tamper proof’ and a stolen bike alert system has been agreed with Greater Manchester Police to ensure their safety in the city.
While the scheme has, so far, only launched on Oxford Road between Fallowfield and Church Gate House as well as key locations around Salford University campus, there are plans for the bikes to be available in Trafford, and the wider city region.
For a full map of the locations of the new bikes, download the Beryl app.
The bikes, provided by Beryl Bikes have three speed gears and adjustable seats, meaning they can be adjusted to suit any rider between 4ft11 and 6ft5.
They are also fitted with Beryl laser lights which project an image of a bicycle onto the road in front of the user to help cyclists be more visible to road traffic.
Richard Nickson, the programme director for cycling and walking at Transport for Greater Manchester explained why the scheme has launched on Oxford Road.
He said: “Particularly in this part of the city, there are a lot of people working, studying, and living and not everyone has access to a bike.
“The Oxford Road cycle route has been very successful.”
The ‘dutch style’ cycle route opened on Oxford and Wilmslow Roads in 2015 and sees a separated lane of traffic for cyclists run alongside the main carriageway.
Mr. Nickson added: “Today, there have been 120 bikes deployed.
“By next year there will be 1,500 bikes available and they will operate across the regional centre: Salford, Trafford and Manchester city."
Out of the 1,500 bikes to be on the roads by June 2022, 1,200 are to be mechanical push bikes and 300 will be eclectic.
Beryl Bikes’s CEO, Philip Ellis, said: “We’re delighted that our experience and innovation is playing an important role in helping shape Greater Manchester’s impressive vision for a cleaner, more sustainable and joined up transport network.
"The bikes are GPS tracked and an on the street team will be working to make sure there are bikes available at the different docking station locations."
Mr Ellis added: “The launch of this next phase of the scheme is really exciting and will open up the chance for many more people to take advantage of our bikes, which provide an affordable, safe and fun alternative to car travel.
“Oxford Road has some of the region’s best cycling infrastructure so why not download the app, give the bikes a try and play a part in helping to reduce congestion and carbon emissions.”
The scheme is a partnership between Beryl bikes and Transport for Greater Manchester.
The transport commissioner for Greater Manchester, Chris Boardman said this: “Bee Network Cycle Hire is a big part of our vision for an integrated transport network.
“Having easy, affordable access to a bike is central to the transport offer in most modern city-regions globally, so bikes are easily accessible for local trips.
“I am delighted that we are now able to offer this option in Greater Manchester.
“With bikes now available at a number of key locations in Manchester city centre and Salford, I’d encourage people to download the app, get out there and give the bikes a go.
“This is your scheme – go out and enjoy it.”
Councillor Tracey Rawlins, executive member for environment at Manchester council hopes that the scheme will encourage people to choose a bike over the car.
She said: “We’re excited to see the Bee Network Cycle Hire scheme get underway in Manchester.
“The bikes will make a difference to the many residents who don’t have access to a bike and will likely encourage some car users to leave the car at home for shorter trips to the shops, to see friends or as a part of their usual commute.”
The renting of a bike can also be paused mid journey for up to fifteen minutes.
This feature allows users to be able to pop into a shop, or take care of errands and not lose the usage of the bike.
"Enabling the use of more sustainable methods of travel is vital if the region is to meet its ambitious programme to combat climate change”.
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