Solent Transport, its local authority partners and Beryl, have created the brand-new bike share scheme, giving thousands of people the chance to enjoy two-wheeled travel.
The scheme, called ‘Beryl Bikes by Breeze’, offers a mixture of e-bikes and pedal bikes for hire across Portsmouth, Southampton and on the Isle of Wight.
Aimed at reducing congestion
‘Beryl Bikes by Breeze’ is part of the Solent Future Transport Zone, funded by the Department for Transport. It aims to help reduce congestion and CO2 emissions, improve air quality, and inspire healthy and affordable active travel choices across the Solent region.
Starting with an initial pool of 200 pedal bikes (not on the Island) and 235 e-bikes it will increase to a fleet of more than 1,000 bikes across the region by spring of next year.
Hire through the new App
Riders will be able to hire a bike through the new micro-mobility app, Breeze, developed by Solent Transport. Breeze also lets you hire both Beryl and Voi e-scooters and plan journeys on buses and trains across south Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
In future there are plans for more features including the ability to buy bus, rail and ferry tickets through the Breeze app. The bikes also work with the Beryl app.
Available for everyone aged 16 and above
Both pedal bikes (not on the IW) and e-bikes are available for everyone aged 16 and above, offering fun, easy and sustainable travel for residents and visitors alike.
In future, cargo bikes and adapted bikes will be added to the scheme, ensuring a wide range of user requirements are catered for.
How much to hire?
Beryl Bikes by Breeze users can Pay-As-You-Ride (£1 unlock fee + 5p per minute for bikes, £1.50 unlock fee + 10p per minute for e-bikes).
Once their ride is complete, users simply close the lock on the bike to end their ride and make the bike available for the next person to use.
GPS trackers on the bikes will alert Beryl to any misuse, vandalism and vehicles ending up in locations outside the zone of operation.
Jordan: An even better choice of ways to travel
Cllr Phil Jordan, Cabinet Member for Transport, Isle of Wight council, said,
“Beryl have already been successfully running the e-scooter trial on the Isle of Wight.
“As part of the ongoing plans, we are pleased to be able to introduce e-bikes, giving residents and visitors an even better choice of ways to travel. Beryl Bikes by Breeze will initially be available in Cowes, Newport, and Ryde with the possibility of expanding this offer to other areas on the Island next spring.
“The e-bikes can be used on many routes, roads, and cycle ways, and more especially, used on the Red Squirrel Trail, which will allow riders to enjoy largely traffic–free cycling through the heart of the Island’s beautiful countryside.”
Ellis: Designed to provide the best possible service
Beryl CEO Phil Ellis said,
“We are absolutely delighted to be able to launch the scheme in Portsmouth, Southampton and on the Isle of Wight and, in doing so, enable more people to take advantage of the excellent local cycling infrastructure.
“As with all our schemes, Beryl Bikes by Breeze has been designed to provide the best possible service for users by being delivered both in partnership with the local authority and in consultation with communities and key stakeholders.”
News shared by Charles on behalf of Solent Transport. Ed
