The new e-bikes are helping more people choose greener, healthier and convenient ways to travel, whether it’s for commuting, visiting friends, getting to work or simply enjoying a ride around the city.

Since the scheme launched in 2019, Beryl Bikes users have clocked up almost 683,000 journeys, travelling more than 1.7 million kilometres across Hereford – the equivalent of travelling around the world more than 40 times.

The scheme now has 200 bikes available across the city, including pedal bikes and electric bikes, with more than 29,000 registered users taking advantage of the easy-to-use service.

Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure, Councillor Philip Price, said: “Beryl Bikes has become a familiar sight on the streets of Hereford and it’s fantastic to see so many people using the scheme to get around the city.

“The arrival of more e-bikes is perfect timing for the summer months, making it even easier for people to choose cycling for everyday journeys, whether that’s travelling to work, meeting friends or exploring what Hereford has to offer.

“The scheme is a great example of how small changes can make a big difference – helping people travel more sustainably while improving health and wellbeing.”

The Beryl Bikes scheme was launched by Herefordshire Council and Beryl in July 2019, with an initial fleet of 70 bikes and 39 marked bays. It has continued to grow, with more than 70 locations now available across Hereford, meaning around 95 per cent of residents live within a five-minute walk of a bay.

The introduction of e-bikes has been particularly popular, helping people to travel further and giving more people the confidence to try cycling. Since the scheme launched, almost 700,000 journeys have been completed, with riders travelling more than 1.7 million kilometres around the city. The scheme is helping more people choose cycling for everyday journeys, supporting healthier lifestyles and reducing reliance on car travel.

Feedback from riders shows that around one in four journeys replace a trip that would otherwise have been made by car, taxi or motorbike, helping reduce congestion and support cleaner air in the city.

The bikes are available to hire through the Beryl app, where users can find their nearest bike and bay, choose from a range of payment options and start riding within minutes.

The bikes feature a step-through design, making them accessible for a wide range of riders, and include Beryl’s Laserlight safety feature, which projects a bicycle symbol onto the road to make riders more visible to other road users.

Beryl Bikes Chief Executive, Philip Ellis, said: “Beryl is pleased to make the additional investment in bringing these new e-bikes to Hereford. We are very proud of the success of the Hereford scheme, it was launched at a time when success of bike share services was not guaranteed and was completely untested in cities the size of Hereford. However, we have always been confident that our service with the support of our local partners and the council would prosper thanks to those who ride the bikes. The service is a genuine case study in how to deliver micromobility services in smaller towns and cities. Thank you to all the riders.”

Summer adventures on two wheels

With the school holidays in full flow, Beryl Bikes are a great way to explore Hereford without worrying about parking or traffic. Whether you’re looking for a day out, a greener way to get around, or simply a chance to enjoy the sunshine, there are plenty of places to discover by bike.

Ideas for a summer ride include:

Explore the River Wye
Take a relaxed ride along the riverside paths and enjoy views of one of Hereford’s most iconic landmarks. Stop off along the way for a picnic, a coffee or an ice cream.

Discover Hereford’s history
Visit some of the city’s historic highlights, including Hereford Cathedral, the Old House and the Victoria Bridge.

Make a day of it in the city centre
Use a Beryl Bike to visit local shops, cafés, markets and attractions without having to worry about finding a parking space.

Enjoy the outdoors
Pack a picnic and head to one of Hereford’s green spaces, including Castle Green, Victoria Park or Bishops Meadow.

Try an e-bike adventure
The extra boost from an electric bike makes longer journeys easier, helping riders explore more of Hereford and its surrounding areas.

·       Residents can find their nearest Beryl Bikes location on Herefordshire Council website. 

·       You can find out more about joining the scheme through the Beryl Bikes website.