Run by Beryl in partnership with BCP Council, the scheme’s new contract period began this week and will continue for another five years to 2029. The partnership is set to make sustainable travel even more accessible, cost-effective and convenient for people by introducing more vehicles and bays on the streets of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole throughout 2024. A new, easier-to-use locking system is also set to be trialled. 

The improvements are in direct response to feedback from the region’s riders. The Beryl Annual Rider Report 2023 showed that convenience was the key factor when choosing to use Beryl vehicles, with 97% of the 603 riders asked citing it as important. 

Beryl CEO and co-founder, Phil Ellis, said: “As we close in on both the scheme’s fifth birthday and the two million journeys milestone, we’re really proud of everything we’ve achieved in BCP since we first launched.

“However, it’s true that by standing still you can sometimes go backwards, which is why we’re constantly looking to work with our partners and our riders to deliver the best scheme we possibly can. 

“By doing this, we can help to encourage people to adopt even more sustainable transport habits and leave the car at home, especially for shorter journeys. 

“Not only will this help to clean up the region’s air by reducing traffic congestion and carbon emissions, it will also help get people more active and boost physical and mental health.”

John McVey, Sustainable Transport Policy Manager at BCP Council, said: “The BCP Council bike share scheme has been a great success since it launched in 2019 and it’s evolved and expanded significantly to provide high quality, accessible and easy to use sustainable transport for both residents and visitors to the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area.

“We’re delighted to continue this partnership with Beryl and excited about the planned enhancements to the scheme over the next five years, which directly supports the councils’ objectives around developing an eco-friendly and active transport network.”

Since launching on 17 June 2019, the scheme has already generated nearly 1,920,000 rides across more than 6.7m kilometres - equivalent to more than 167 journeys around the Earth. 

These journeys have had a significant impact on reducing traffic congestion, replacing over 700,000 private vehicle journeys. They’ve also contributed towards getting people active and improving air quality, preventing nearly 250 tonnes of CO2 emissions across the region according to industry calculations. 

People and places matter to Beryl, who have provided over 180,000 free rides to job seekers, students, low-income hospitality workers, refugees, cycle training organisations and other community group members in BCP as part of the Community Champions Initiative.

They have also provided opportunities, skills, training and jobs to those with additional learning needs, working with the council on its Supported Internships project that helps young people aged 19-25. The project is aimed at those who have completed formal school and college but who need a final hand in gaining paid employment. Beryl has provided assisted work placements to several course participants, helping them to gain confidence and boost their job prospects. The placements have led to two participants gaining full-time employment at Beryl. 

The Beryl Annual Rider Report, which surveyed over 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. 

The report 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 5 years.

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

A B Corp registered company, Beryl is recognised for meeting exceptional standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.

For more information on Beryl’s innovative bike share scheme, please visit beryl.cc/BCP