Two more cities contemplate bike hire schemes

England’s bike hire network is continuing to grow – with two more cities expressing an interest in implementing schemes.

The popularity of bike share schemes is on the rise in the UK, partly because they can provide multiple users with a cheaper and often quicker way to travel.

Schemes have been introduced in a number of cities – with York and Manchester now set to follow suit.

According to Transport Xtra, the City of York Council is to procure a dockless bike hire operator for a one-year trial.

Proposals for a scheme were approved earlier this month, after councillors said York is ‘an ideal location’ for such an initiative.

However, the council says a new scheme will require ‘input and support’ from a number of key stakeholders, including the state-owned train operator LNER (which runs York station) and the University of York.

Speaking prior to approval, Cllr Peter Dew, executive member for transport and planning, said: “Many people could benefit from a bike share scheme in York.

“But, it’s important that we build on the lessons learned from other cities to deliver a scheme which benefits the unique characteristics of our city and the needs of the scheme’s potential users.”

In Manchester, Transport for Greater Manchester (TFGM) is drawing up plans for a public bike hire system covering the whole of the conurbation – according to Transport Xtra.

A TfGM spokeswoman told Transport Xtra: “A convenient and cost-effective bike hire scheme covering the whole of the city region is an essential part of our strategy [for active travel] and will mean that everyone can join our transport revolution.

“We will be able to share plans for bike access in the coming months.”

However, one of the UK’s largest dockless bike hire firms, Ofo, has closed its Sheffield and Norwich operations and scrapped plans to launch in Leeds as part of a global restructuring. It will continue its operations in Oxford, Cambridge and London.

---