E-bike scheme aims to make Leeds a city where you don’t need a car

Funding has been approved for the Leeds City Bikes new e-bikes, which when launched in the Autumn will form a core element of the city’s ambition to be a city where you don’t need a car.

Caption: (L-R): David Miller from Leeds Cycling Campaign; Philip Ellis, CEO of Beryl; Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire; and Cllr Helen Hayden, Executive Member for Infrastructure and Climate at Leeds City Council.

The £2.86 million scheme, claimed by the council to be the “first fully electric public bike hire service in the UK”, will see e-bikes for hire at docking stations in the centre, and along key routes to the south and north-west of the city, before expanding to other areas.

Initially an estimated 300 e-bikes will be available from docking stations at key locations. The service will also incorporate tricycles and e-cargo bikes.

It will be designed, developed, and delivered by British e-bike hire operator Beryl, in partnership with Leeds City Council, and has been made possible thanks to funding secured through the West Yorkshire Mayoral devolution deal.

The scheme was given the final green light at the end of May when members of the Combined Authority’s Transport Committee approved the funding in full.

Subject to further funding, it is hoped the Leeds e-bike hire service will be the first of many to be rolled out across West Yorkshire in the future.

Councillor Helen Hayden, Executive Member for Infrastructure and Climate, said, “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. 

“We know that compared to conventional push bikes, e-bikes are an easier access point for new users including older people, women, people with limited physical strength, people who have limited cycling confidence or experience and people who are looking to take up cycling. I hope that Leeds City Bikes will encourage more people to try cycling without the investment of buying their own bike.”

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, added, “Bringing an e-bike hire scheme to our region was ​one of my Mayoral​​ pledges and I’m excited we’re using bikes named after Leeds’ cycling legend Beryl Burton.

“We want to grow our economy, connect people with opportunities and tackle the climate emergency.  A reliable, inclusive transport network, which puts walking and cycling at the heart of our everyday journeys, is key to this.”