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Beryl has been appointed to deliver Guildford’s new e-bike hire scheme.
The shared provider was appointed by a project partnership made up of Surrey County Council, which is contributing £1.05 million to help the start-up of the scheme, Guildford Borough Council, which is contributing £250,000, and the University of Surrey.
The scheme will see a pilot phase launching on Thursday, September 18, linking the University of Surrey’s Stag Hill and Manor Park campuses with Guildford town centre – encouraging sustainable travel behaviours among new and returning students as the new academic year begins.
Guildford Borough Council’s lead councillor for environment and climate change, Cllr George Potter, said: “We’re very pleased to be joining up with Surrey County Council and the University of Surrey to help fund the launch of this brilliant scheme.
“Tackling the climate emergency is a key priority for us, and giving people greener alternatives to travelling by car is an important part of this given that transport accounts for 51% of carbon emissions in our borough.
“I’m particularly pleased that we are partnering with a scheme operator which has B Corp sustainability certification and that the new scheme will reach far beyond the town centre, with the opportunity to hopefully expand it further in the future if it proves successful.”
This pilot phase will accelerate over the coming weeks, and by the end of October there should be 200 bikes with 46 bays across a wider part of the town in the winter months.
A full complement of 300 bikes will then be available across 56 bays in spring 2025 – those final bays will be in the outer areas of the town completing the network.
The UK-based operator was awarded the contract following a restricted tender process.
Beryl CEO and co-founder, Phil Ellis, added: “Our core aim is to remove the barriers to sustainable travel for as many people as possible, encouraging people out of the car by providing them with a sustainable, convenient, reliable, cost-effective and fun alternative.
“We’re very experienced at delivering schemes with local authority partners and we look forward to working closely with Surrey County Council and with key stakeholders to ensure this scheme provides the best possible service to users.
“By swapping the car for an e-bike journey you’re not only boosting your own health and fitness, you’re also contributing towards reducing congestion and improving regional air quality.”
