Cycle hire scheme may be pedalled out across Brighton & Hove
A new scheme to provide bikes for public hire in the city may be pedalled out if plans are approved. Councillors are set to consider plans to introduce a Bike Share scheme for Brighton & Hove at the next Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee on Tuesday 24 November.
The aim is to establish a bike hire service, similar to the so called “Boris bikes” in London, with 430 bikes available from a minimum of 50 hubs or docking points in the city.
The vision is for bike hire hubs to be installed along the seafront and near city centre tourist attractions. The scheme would also operate along the A27 corridor, heading out to the university campus sites at Falmer.
Research by the council’s Transport Planning team has revealed demand for bike hire in the chosen areas. Many homes in the densely populated seafront areas do not have space to store bicycles securely.
Councillor Gill Mitchell, lead member for environment and sustainability at Brighton & Hove City Council, said: “This is an exciting scheme that should work well for the city. The aim is to provide a flexible service, working alongside existing cycle hire providers and which gives more choice to those who live, work or visit here.”
The proposed date for rolling out Bike Share is May 2017. At this stage the preparation is about ensuring an effective and fair procurement process and the report before the committee later in the month is about seeking a suitable provider of the service. The chosen supplier would commit to an initial three year contract and be required to supply the bikes plus associated equipment as well as management and maintenance of the service.
A separate report being presented at the same committee calls for additional cycle parking provision for bike owners. Since the introduction of the first Pedal Cycle Parking Place (PCCP) in 2008, PCCPs for more than 600 bicycles have been installed at 61 locations around the city. The cycle parking spaces are used well.
Locations for new facilities are selected based on demand and the practicality of installation. The report seeks to gain approval for new cycle parking at Arundel Place, Egremont Place, Hove Park Villas, Richardson Road and Ruskin Road.
Councillor Gill Mitchell added: “We know there is a demand from residents for increased cycle parking facilities and we are very pleased to be able to respond to these requests.”
More information:
View the reports for the Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee here (Bikeshare is agenda item no. 48; pedal cycle parking places is agenda item no 49) http://democracy.brighton-hove.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?MId=5630&x=1&