Launched on Monday 9 May, the campaign will now run until Friday 3 June after its first two weeks generated 2,175 journeys covering 5,712 km. Feedback also shows that 25% of those that have used the offer so far would have otherwise used road transport.*

The campaign was launched to demonstrate the health, financial and environmental benefits of sustainable commuting and encourage more people in Norwich to pick up the habit of cycling regularly.

It currently allows Beryl users in Norwich to claim free rides up to 30 minutes on a pedal bike and up to 15 minutes (plus free unlock) on an e-bike. The offer is available from Monday to Friday during the traditional commuting times of 7.30am to 9.30am and 3pm to 6pm.

Beryl CEO Phil Ellis said: “We’ve been really encouraged by the success of the campaign so far and I’m delighted that a quarter of those taking part have chosen us ahead of their usual road transport.

“Research shows that two-thirds of all journeys are less than five miles (the average distance being 2.62km), a trip that can easily be taken by a bike or an e-bike and within 30 minutes. 

“The benefits of cycling for that long is enough to improve stress levels, physical health and reduce risks of illness.”

“We aim to remove the barriers that stop people using sustainable transport so, with the weather getting warmer, the days longer and petrol prices at an all-time high, this is the perfect time for commuters to saddle up and give us a try.”

Councillor Lana Hempsall, Norfolk County Council’s member champion

for sustainable travel said: “This campaign is a great opportunity for people in

Norwich to try a new way of getting to work and to reap the benefits that cycling can bring to their health, their environment and with petrol prices at an all-time high, their finances.

“The beryl scheme continues to grow with even more bays planned for the Greater Norwich area over the next few months which will provide green travel options for even more of the County, helping us in our ambition towards net zero.”

Since its launch on Tuesday 17 March 2020, the Norwich scheme has amassed over 527,000 journeys in just over two years, equating to a total distance of 1,663,930 km, the equivalent of over 40 journeys around the Earth. 

This equates to nearly 62 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions saved; the equivalent of around 361 airline flights from London to Edinburgh or 4,126,260 boiled kettles.**

Feedback from users shows that almost a third (29.2%) of the bike, e-bike and scooter journeys in Norwich have replaced road transport journeys - including driving a car/van, being a passenger in a car/van, and using a taxi or riding a motorbike or moped.***

The scheme welcomed the installation of four new bays last month, one at Pilling park and another by Eaton Park on South Park Avenue along with a further two at Dussindale in Thorpe St Andrew.

With 93 Beryl Bays installed across the scheme, 112 400 people are a 5 minutes walk from a bay, which represents 60% of the service area's population.

You can hire a Beryl bike, e-bike or e-scooter through the Beryl app, available for free download on the App Store for iOS, and the Google Play Store for Android users. 

The Beryl e-bike can be differentiated from the Beryl bikes through a lightning bolt symbol visible on the bike and bay icons in-app. The remaining range of the Beryl e-bike is also displayed in-app ahead of hiring the bike so riders can confirm the battery will last throughout their journey. 

Beryl’s e-bikes have a centre mount pedal assist, ensuring a lower centre of gravity in the bike, providing a safer and more enjoyable riding experience. Electric power is supplied through pedal assist, meaning the rider can adjust the bike's speed through the power in their pedalling. 

The electric assist of the Beryl e-bike is capped at a maximum speed of 15.5mph (24.9kmph) in accordance with UK law. 

The local Beryl operations team manage all the on-street maintenance and use a battery swapping process to ensure the e-bikes and e-scooters are charged and ready for use.

*Cars, vans and buses

**Carbon saving calculations are approximate and are based on industry research

***Based on 11,239 user responses received since 10 March 2021