Birmingham builds Commonwealth Games transport around active travel and free rides

West Midlands Cycle Hire (WMCH) is offering two free half-hour rides per day during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The free cycle hire offer is just one of many measures such as free spectator shuttle buses and extra public transport services being put in place to ensure visitors and athletes get to venues on time and the region keeps moving during this summer’s festival of sport which runs from 27 July to 8 August.

Birmingham 2022 is expected to see more than a million visitors come to the region over 12 days, and spectators who have purchased tickets have access to bus, train and tram travel within the West Midlands included for every day of the Games that they are attending.

The aim is to make it as easy as possible for people to use public transport or active travel, cycling and walking, to get to venues. This will help manage traffic congestion and keep the roads clearer for regular commuters, deliveries and emergency services.

Under the new cycle hire offer anyone over 16 who signs up for WMCH via the Beryl app will be able to ride a bike or eBike for 30 minutes twice a day free of charge –  whether or not they are attending a Birmingham 2022 venue. WMCH has 1,500 bikes for hire across the region, including 150 eBikes and more than 200 docking stations.

The free offer is designed to encourage more people to give cycling a go and consider whether they can swap their shorter car journeys for cycling or combine it with their public transport journeys.

Pop-up and virtual cycle hire docking stations are also being set up near five key venues.

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said, “The eyes of the world will be on us this summer when we play host to what is undoubtedly the biggest and highest profile event ever to grace our region. It is therefore imperative that we have the transport provision to match the scale of the Games, enabling our visitors to enjoy eleven days of thrilling sporting spectacle and make the most of their leisure time in the West Midlands.

“That’s why I’m so pleased that not only will spectators have the cost of public transport included as part of their tickets, but also every resident will have the chance to use our cycle-hire scheme free of charge. Cycling is a fantastic way to see our glorious region, whilst also improving mental and physical health and helping us tackle the climate emergency.”

Cllr Liz Clements, cabinet member for transport at Birmingham City Council, said, “This fantastic offer keeps up the momentum of Birmingham’s Cycle Revolution, through which we have been investing in cycle infrastructure across the city, including segregated cycle lanes, canal towpaths and green routes as well as local links, and I hope it’ll persuade people to make a permanent switch to cycling.”