Launched initially as a bike share scheme in partnership with BCP Council on 17 June 2019, the scheme has generated over 1.5m journeys, of which over 379,000 have replaced trips that would have been taken in a car, van, taxi or motorbike.
According to industry calculations, this has led to a saving of nearly 270 tonnes of harmful carbon dioxide emissions, the equivalent of nearly 16,000 litres of petrol.
Bournemouth resident Amy Blake, 28, is a regular user of the scheme, often using the e-scooters to either commute or meet with friends. For her, flexibility is key.
She said: “For me, the e-scooters have replaced car journeys and mean I don't need to get lifts as we have only one car in the family.
“The scooters are less effort than cycling, which saves my tired legs after work, plus I like the convenience of not needing to travel the same way home.”
Beryl CEO and cofounder, Phil Ellis, is delighted with the progress made by the scheme in its four years.
He said: “Our first bike share scheme really has gone from strength to strength, with the numbers of users and journeys both increasing annually as we’ve expanded and added further options.
“Direct feedback from our riders shows that they’re embracing this variety, with the number of people riding both bikes and e-scooters almost doubling this year. We also know that, on average, 40% of all our users in BCP have reduced their car usage since starting to use Beryl services - an increase of 26% on the previous year.
“This increasing popularity and embracing of multiple modes is contributing towards reducing traffic congestion, while improving air quality and public health.”
Cllr Andy Hadley, BCP Council’s Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy said: “Congratulations to Beryl on their four year anniversary in Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole. I was very pleased to help with their launch four years ago, and you can see from the increasing number of customers and journeys made on their bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters, just how popular their service is. It also shows that there is an increasing level of demand for sustainable transport options amongst local residents and visitors alike.”
Cllr Vikki Slade, BCP Council’s leader said: “Our relationship with Beryl has also benefited the three towns in another way, as they recently opened a new factory in Poole which assembles and services their bikes and e-scooters. This factory has created 8 full-time jobs and is also providing supported internships for 16 to 24 year-olds with special educational needs, a good win for both Beryl and us.”
Released in December, the Department for Transport’s National Evaluation of e-scooter trials findings report also showed Bournemouth and Poole to be the second most utilised trial out of the 32 government trials across the country, generating four trips per e-scooter per day.
You can hire a Beryl e-bike through the Beryl app, available for free download on the App Store for iOS, and the Google Play Store for Android users.
For more info, visit beryl.cc/scheme/bournemouth-christchurch-and-poole
"I was very pleased to help with their launch four years ago, and you can see from the increasing number of customers and journeys made on their bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters, just how popular their service is. It also shows that there is an increasing level of demand for sustainable transport options amongst local residents and visitors alike.”