E-bike share scheme 'streamlined' in Plymouth

An e-bike operator has announced plans to reduce its service in a Devon city.

Beryl said while the number of bikes would remain the same at 450 in Plymouth, it would be "streamlining" its service to provide better availability in areas where they are used more since the bicycle sharing scheme was launched in March 2023.

It added the number of docking bays in Plymouth would be cut by half from the existing 100 as part of the plans.

Councillor Mark Coker, Plymouth City Council cabinet member for transport, said he was "disappointed" by Beryl's decision but was pleased the number of e-bikes available would remain the same.

The scheme was launched in Plymouth to encourage people to take greener, more sustainable ways to travel about the city and to connect with existing public travel including buses, trains, ferries, walking and cycling routes.

Beryl said since the launch there had been 27,773 users of the e-bikes and more than 213,000 journeys made, with data showing the average ride was 1.4 miles (2.25km) and lasted 15 minutes.

The company said the service would be concentrated in its most popular areas which included the city centre, the south west of Plymouth, Derriford and St Budeaux.

Docking stations outside these areas would be removed and leaving bikes outside the Beryl zone could cost users up to £105 in fees, the firm added.

Beryl said: "We're making some adjustments to improve the Beryl service in Plymouth.

"We'll be consolidating the service area, meaning some bays outside this area will no longer be available."

The council said it did not have a date for when docking bays would be removed.

Coker said Beryl had approached the council about consolidating its service in the city.

He added negotiations between Beryl and the council led to the service being kept in the Derriford Hospital and St Budeaux areas, all of which had been earmarked to be discontinued from the service originally.

"Yes, I'm disappointed, of course I am," Coker said.

"I'm a sustainable transport person but in the long run the council wants to protect having Beryl bikes or e-bikes in the city centre."

Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].