ONE year of Beryl bikes is being celebrated in Worcester.
Since launching on June 17 2024, the bike sharing scheme has notched up 52,922 sustainable journeys with riders covering a total of 125,849 kilometres.
It has also significantly contributed to the well-being of Worcester residents, facilitating 12,595 hours of exercise for people.
The latest Beryl Annual Rider Report – a survey of thousands of Beryl users across several schemes – shows that the bikes and e-bikes play a crucial role in replacing car journeys – 47 per cent of Worcester users have completely stopped or use cars less often.
The scheme was introduced to Worcester as part of the Worcester Town Investment Plan, supported by government funding which was secured by Worcester City Council.
Coun Robyn Norfolk, chair of the city council’s place and economic development committee said: “The Beryl bike hire scheme in Worcester has proven to be a fantastic addition to our city’s transport options.
“The benefits are clear, from promoting active lifestyles and improving the health and wellbeing of our community to contributing to reduced traffic and cleaner air in Worcester.
“This scheme is a valuable component of our ongoing commitment to creating a more sustainable city.
“The scheme offers a healthy and environmentally friendly way for our residents, workers, and visitors to navigate Worcester, reducing reliance on private vehicles.”
Phil Ellis, Beryl CEO and co-founder, continued: “These impressive numbers for Worcester’s first year show that by providing a well-planned, user-friendly, and affordable bike share scheme, we can effectively encourage more people to choose cycling.
“Bike share offers a flexible and convenient transport solution for a wide variety of journeys, whether it’s for commuting, leisure, exercise, or connecting with other modes of transport. We are delighted with the scheme’s impact in Worcester.”
Worcester University and Worcestershire Royal Hospital have also been key partners in the scheme, which currently offers e-bikes and pedal bikes, available to rent from numerous Beryl bays conveniently located across the city.
