Roll-out of Plymouth e-bikes brings city’s mobility hubs a step closer

A 400-strong fleet of hireable electric bikes will be available on the streets of Plymouth from next year. The bikes, which will be based across the city, are set to become a core component of the Council’s planned mobility hubs network.

UK bike share operator Beryl has been appointed to provide the e-bikes, having already delivered micromobility schemes in Norwich, Hereford, Watford, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, the Isle of Wight, Hackney and Greater Manchester.

Beryl CEO, Phil Ellis, said, “E-bikes are a fun, cost-effective and environmentally-friendly way to get around a city. They can play a key role in a sustainable urban transport network, helping to connect modes of transport and reduce traffic congestion by encouraging people to switch from their cars for shorter journeys.

The scheme is part of a programme of investment through the Department of Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) that aims to change people’s travel habits by making it as easy as possible for people to choose low carbon options.

Designed to reduce reliance on private car use in Plymouth and its travel to work area, key components of the broader mobility hub project will include electric vehicle (EV) charging points, electric bikes, car club vehicles and journey planning.

Officers are currently looking at possible locations for around 50 hubs, with the aim of at least one in every ward. Councillor Jonathan Drean, Cabinet member for Transport, added, "I am so excited that our mobility hubs are a step closer to reality.

"We have to make sustainable transport more attractive and by installing the appropriate infrastructure, we're breaking down another barrier that might stop someone from switching to a greener alternative.”

The scheme will also see 300 parking bays across the city being installed with electric vehicle charge points provided by Gamma Energy. A third of these will have chargers capable of providing a typical electric vehicle with an additional 100-mile range in approximately 30 minutes.

Alberto Cantero, CEO of Wenea, Gamm’s sister company, said, “We are honoured to work with Plymouth City Council in their flagship project in what constitutes one of the most ambitious urban electric charging projects in the UK.”

Capital funding through the Transforming Cities Fund is also funding the development of new cycle routes along Plymouth’s key transport corridors, with a focus on routes used by commuters to travel to work.