VANDALISM has put the brakes on a bike hire service at a Worcester leisure centre.
The Beryl bike sharing service at Perdiswell Leisure Centre has been temporarily suspended following a series of vandalism incidents, including a recent attack that left one bike with extensive fire damage.
Over the past few weeks, a total of six bikes have been targeted, with previous incidents involving significant damage to the rear wheel spokes of multiple bikes.
The most recent attack has prompted Beryl to close the bike bay while the company investigates the cause and identifies those responsible.
Worcester City Councillor for Claines, Coun Karen Holmes expressed her disappointment about the ongoing vandalism.
She said: “This is incredibly frustrating. A small number of individuals are ruining an important and accessible resource for the entire community. We’re committed to working with the community safety team, Beryl, and the city leisure centre team to ensure the safety of the bay and get it reinstated as soon as possible.”
Regular users of the bike bay have been notified of the temporary suspension via an in-app push notification. The bay will remain closed until investigations are complete, with efforts underway to enhance security and prevent further damage.
Coun Holmes continued: “We know how important the Beryl bikes are to local residents and visitors, and we’re doing everything we can to resolve the situation quickly. We’ll ensure this service is brought back safely for everyone to enjoy. We have been working on getting more bays and now we’ve lost a vital piece of the Beryl network.”
Worcester mayor Coun Mel Allcott added: “This is a deeply concerning issue that affects not only the users of the Beryl bikes but the wider community in Worcester. Vandalism like this is not only a criminal act but also a setback for our shared efforts to promote sustainable transport and active travel.”
