Greater than 1,600 journeys made on new Leeds e-bikes throughout first week

Greater than 1,600 journeys have been made on the brand new e-bikes for rent in Leeds since they arrived within the metropolis centre simply over per week in the past.

Preliminary uptake of the scheme has been optimistic, with extra 1,200 customers masking 375km within the first week. The figures have been launched following an official celebration to mark the launch of Leeds Metropolis Bikes on Saturday (23 September).

Residents and group teams have been joined on the launch occasion by Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, Cllr Helen Hayden, Leeds’ Govt Member for Infrastructure and Local weather, and Phil Ellis, CEO of motorbike operator Beryl.

Folks have been invited to affix a sequence of free led rides on Leeds’ rising biking community, with greater than 10km of segregated lanes within the metropolis centre alone.

Leeds Metropolis Bikes is a totally electrical public bike rent service delivered by Beryl in partnership with Leeds Metropolis Council and the West Yorkshire Mixed Authority.

Councillor Helen Hayden, Govt Member for Infrastructure and Local weather, mentioned:

“It was a unbelievable day on Cookridge Road with a lot of completely different sorts of individuals inquisitive about studying extra in regards to the public e-bike rent service which has been an extended ambition of this council, and it’s nice to see them on the streets being employed.

“We wish our metropolis to be one that gives a full and complete transport community and an e-bike scheme is an important a part of that – providing fast and sustainable journeys throughout the town centre. We wish Leeds to be a metropolis the place you don’t have to personal a automobile and a key a part of that’s increasing and supporting our biking community.”

This primary section of the rollout this autumn will see as much as 300 bikes at 40 docking places throughout the town centre and alongside key routes to the south and north-west. Additional bikes shall be delivered in 2024, with numbers doubling to 600 by spring.

The £2.86 million scheme has been made doable because of funding secured by means of the West Yorkshire Mayoral devolution deal.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, mentioned:

“It’s been great to see individuals utilizing the e-bikes this week and I’m wanting ahead to seeing much more over the approaching weeks and months.

“Altering our journey habits is about getting access to completely different choices – and e-bike rent is now a type of.

“A dependable and inclusive transport community, which places biking and strolling on the coronary heart of our on a regular basis lives, is vital to our plans for a stronger and better-connected area.”

Phil Ellis CEO of Beryl, mentioned:

“Occasions like this are important to the profitable integration of any new shared sustainable transport scheme as they provide individuals the possibility to come back alongside, ask questions, check out the service and study the way it can profit them, each individually and as a part of a metropolis area.

“It was nice to see so many individuals come down and present their help and enthusiasm for what we try to realize right here; which is to interrupt down the limitations to energetic journey, enhance public well being and decarbonise transport by decreasing visitors congestion and carbon emissions.

“The e-bikes usually are not solely handy, easy to make use of and enjoyable, they’ll additionally prevent some huge cash in comparison with personal car use, eradicating the prices related to gasoline, parking, tax, upkeep, storage, parking, MOT and insurance coverage.”

Dr Robin Lovelace, Affiliate Professor of Transport Knowledge Science at Leeds College, mentioned:

“Funding in energetic journey is a win-win-win for well being, air high quality and the native economic system. The brand new bike rent scheme will let individuals within the College of Leeds and metropolis communities check out biking on a safe, well-maintained electric-assisted bike. Mixed with funding in energetic journey and public transport measures, this may allow extra journeys to be made with out the prices of vehicles.

“The scheme aligns with the College of Leeds Local weather Plan and can allow extra college students to get round on their very own steam at a pivotal second of their lives. E-bikes are a quietly revolutionary know-how that may improve transport equality. This scheme will speed up their uptake throughout the town.”

Discover out extra details about Leeds Metropolis Bikes on our web site.

ENDS