People in Carmarthenshire will soon be able to hire a bike using their phone and collect it from a town centre docking station for just a few pounds a day.
Bike hire stations are being installed at three locations across the county and they will be operational within the next few weeks.
The bikes are foldable and can be taken on public transport, and users will be able to reserve one online or by text and collect it from one of the docking stations - located at Carmarthen Bus Station, Llanelli Railway Station and Burry Port interchange.
The scheme, which has been made possible by funding from the Welsh Government’s Local Transport Network, will see Carmarthenshire Council working with national company Brompton Bike Hire.
The company will fully manage, operate and maintain the scheme once it is up and running, and all bikes will be regularly sanitised as part of its maintenance regime.
“We’re pleased to be the first county in Wales to make this bike hire available as an alternative means of transport for people in Carmarthenshire,” said Hazel Evans, executive board member for environment at Carmarthenshire Council.
“This is part of focused efforts to improve active travel facilities, and will allow people to break up public transport journeys or simply use the bikes to get out and about in our towns.”
Peter Hughes Griffiths, executive board member for culture, sport and tourism, added: “Cycling can be enjoyed by people of all ages, and this scheme provides options for people who may not have a bike of their own but want to enjoy the fantastic scenery Carmarthenshire offers.”
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The council has said that further information will be made available in the coming weeks once the bike hire docks become operational in Carmarthen, Llanelli and Burry Port.
According to Brompton Bike Hire, the daily charge for hiring one of its bikes starts from £3.50 for a day, or frequent users can pay an annual fee of £25.
