Beryl Bikes has been awarded the contract following a competitive tender process and will deliver the service on behalf of BCP Council. A total of 275 new bikes will be available for instant hire via the ‘Beryl app’.

Expansion of bike share into Christchurch is a local funding commitment of BCP and Dorset Council’s successful Transforming Cities Fund bid. This secured £79 million of government funding to deliver a package of measures to support sustainable transport. Five new cycle freeways will be provided with segregated cycle lanes over the next three years.

Cllr Andy Hadley, portfolio holder for Transport and Infrastructure at BCP Council, said, “Beryl Bikes have proved incredibly popular since they launched here. They’re a great way to get about, without having to own a bike yourself.”

Philip Ellis, Beryl CEO and co-founder said, “We’ve been delighted to offer an affordable and flexible bike share system in Bournemouth and Poole, which has proved successful. So, we are really pleased to be now expanding this to Christchurch.”

Whilst the Bournemouth and Poole service were provided commercially – at no cost to the council – the Christchurch extension is being matched funded through BCP’s Local Transport Plan (LTP) contributions. BCP’s initial investment is £450k to kick-start the scheme, Beryl will be matching this funding, and then some over the initial three-and-a-half-year contract.

The distinctive green bikes are easily found and unlocked using the Beryl app which shows the location of the Beryl bays and the preferred parking locations to leave the bikes. An additional 50 of these will be provided in Christchurch at key destinations such as the Christchurch and Hinton Admiral railway stations, Christchurch Hospital and Bournemouth Airport, including the business park, and at key retail centres and residential areas.

The scheme is designed with flexibility in mind, allowing users to park the bikes elsewhere for an additional £2 convenience fee, provided they are safely within the scheme area.

For more information see https://beryl.cc/bikeshare/bournemouth-poole.