Leeds City Bikes launches fully electric e-bike hire service

Designed, developed and delivered by Beryl, in partnership with Leeds City Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the service has been made possible thanks to funding secured through the West Yorkshire Mayoral devolution deal.     

Phil Ellis, CEO of Beryl, said: “We’re delighted to be working with another of the UK’s major transport authorities to make sustainable transport even more accessible to people across Leeds while helping to further decarbonise the city’s integrated transport system. We are the UK’s only home-grown shared transport provider, designing and assembling our own products and industry-leading technology, while maintaining control over safety, durability and quality.”

Lewisham Council and Lime partner to enhance dockless e-bike scheme

Councillor Helen Hayden, Executive Member for Infrastructure and Climate, said: “It’s fantastic to see this scheme launching. A public bike hire scheme has been a long ambition of Leeds and it’s a crucial part of offering quick and sustainable journeys across the city centre. We want Leeds to be a city where you don’t need to own a car and a key part of that is expanding and supporting our cycling network. This bike hire scheme is a great way use that network for short journeys, as well as long hopefully in the future.”

This work is part of the Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy to make Leeds a city where people do not need a car. Leeds City Council and the Combined Authority have been working closely with accessibility groups, communities and other key stakeholders to ensure as many people as possible can access the service.     

The service is being funded by the Combined Authority through its Transforming Cities Fund programme, which is aimed at making it easier for people to walk, cycle and use public transport. Subject to further funding, it is hoped that the Leeds e-bike hire service will be the first of many to be rolled out across West Yorkshire in the future.