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Beryl has released a major new piece of research, which has revealed user habits across six shared bike, e-bike and e-scooter schemes.
Among the biggest findings in the Beryl Annual Rider Report, released on 8th December, was that an increasing number of riders are combining Beryl micromobility trips with public transport – up to 53% of users, compared with 29% in 2021.
The average distance of those journeys is less than 2.5km, which Beryl says shows the increasing importance of bikeshare as an option for the first and last mile journeys.
Beryl CEO and co-founder, Phil Ellis, said: “As the UK’s leading micromobility operator, we know from experience how important data and feedback is in understanding our users, identifying trends and ensuring that we’re providing services that are accessible and work for everyone.
“Our findings this year are reflective of external factors and show that, in line with rising cost of living, people are recognising the value of shared micromobility schemes as a more cost-effective, practical and convenient alternative to private vehicle ownership.
“We will continue to use insights like this to guide our data-driven approach, delivering schemes in consultation with communities and key stakeholders as part of an integrated transport network.
“By doing this we can continue to get more people swapping four wheels for two and help reduce carbon emissions and traffic congestion while improving air quality and public health.”
The Beryl Annual Rider Report took rider data from more than 3,000 riders, across six bike, e-bike, and e-scooter share schemes in September 2022.
Another of the key findings from the report is that convenience (35%) and speed (25%) are now the most important reasons for signing up. Fun and novelty were the biggest reasons in 2021, but have dropped to 23% and 20% respectively. Cost has also doubled in importance to 20%.
Over 50% of those who use Beryl vehicles for business have reduced their usage of private cars, while 38% of all riders have reduced their car usage since using Beryl – an increase from 29% last year.
The number of riders using Beryl for commuting has now increased from 27% in 2021 to 55% this year.
Riders are also embracing multiple modes of transport according to the research, as the number of people riding bikes, e-bikes, and e-scooters has more than doubled from 7% to 15%.
Read more: Newcastle e-scooter trial extended to 2024
The survey was taken from riders across Beryl-operated schemes in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, Hereford, Norwich, Watford, the Isle of Wight, and Greater Manchester.
Riders were sent the survey via email and within the Beryl app. Of those who responded, 29% had signed up but not yet taken a ride, while 71% had taken at least one ride.
