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Sustainable shared transport in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole is set for a number of improvements over the next five years, after Beryl were re-appointed as scheme operators by BCP Council.
Having run the current bike, e-bike and e-scooter scheme in partnership with the council since June 2019, the home-grown operator was chosen to continue delivering the service until 2028.
This will enable them to build on the success and respond to user feedback by delivering a number of improvements, designed to make the scheme even more functional, cost-effective and convenient.
This includes the integration of e-cargo bikes from spring 2024, making it the first UK shared transport scheme to provide four integrated modes, as well as more e-bikes on the street.
In its first four and a half years, the scheme has already generated more than 1.8 million rides across nearly 6.4 million kilometres – equivalent to nearly 160 journeys around the Earth.
These journeys have had a significant impact on reducing traffic congestion, replacing more than 650,000 private vehicle journeys – preventing around 235 tonnes of CO2 emissions across the region.
Phil Ellis, Beryl CEO and co-founder, said: “Obviously we are delighted to extend our partnership with BCP Council and see it as an indication of the great work we have done together to provide the region with the convenient, cost-effective and simple-to-use scheme it deserves.
“The numbers show just how popular it has been and how many private car journeys it has taken off the road, contributing towards reducing road congestion, improving air quality and meeting carbon reduction targets.
“It’s also broken down the barriers to sustainable transport for a lot of people who otherwise may not have had access to or have been willing to try getting around by bike, e-bike or e-scooter.
“Over the next five years, we will utilise the knowledge and experience we have gained to deliver some significant improvements, which will help make the scheme even more user-friendly and hopefully encourage an even greater take up of sustainable transport habits.”
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole were the first large bike-share scheme deployment areas for Beryl, and working alongside Beryl, have nurtured the scheme in the area over the last five years.
Ellis added: “As well as providing a reliable service, they have helped train residents who use e-scooters to enhance their confidence when out riding, regularly assessed the user experience and continue to focus on how micro mobility can help those with disabilities.
“We look forward to further innovation from them as a key partner in supporting sustainable travel in the area moving forward.”
Back in June, the scheme fought off competition to claim The Municipal Journal (MJ) Award for the UK’s Best Transport Decarbonisation Project.
The MJ Awards are considered the highest level of recognition in the UK local authority community, making it a significant achievement.
The Beryl Annual Rider Report, which surveyed more than 600 riders across BCP during this summer, showed that 43% of cyclists in the borough have been cycling more often or much more often and 34% of all riders asked had reduced their car usage since using Beryl.
It also showed riders across BCP continue to embrace multiple modes, with 35% riding bikes and e-scooters and 28% riding all three modes compared to 15% that just ride pedal bikes and 13% that just ride e-scooters.
Beryl is also having a positive impact on lapsed cyclists in the region, with 16% of riders returning to cycling after a short break (1-5 years) and 17% returning after a break of more than five years.
