York set to get its own cycle hire scheme

Date: 23/7/2013

Following in the footsteps of London’s Boris Bikes, York is set to introduce its own cycle hire scheme across the city.

The City of York has approved the plans and there will be a two-year trial period whereby more than 130 bikes will be available to hire across 38 sites around the city, launching around the beginning of 2014.

Finer details of the scheme, such as how much it will cost to rent a bike and whether or not there will be a corporate sponsor, are unknown at the moment.

However, the council has confirmed that they will be available at a variety of locations, including shopping centres, park-and-ride sites and the universities.

"Despite over 11,000 York residents choosing cycling as their primary mode of travel to work there still remains a gap in cycle provision for those living, visiting and working in York who don't have a bike and require a quick and flexible service to meet a variety of needs," said councillor Dave Merrett, Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability.

The move coincides with the arrival of the Tour de France in Yorkshire in the same year. Stage two will begin in the city on Sunday July 6th, heading out through Knaresborough, Keighley and Hebden Bridge, before finishing in Sheffield.

Posted by Mary Treen

Transport News, Transport Consulting News and TRL Ltd