Micromobility operator Beryl has launched a new Southeast bikeshare scheme in Dorset today, a few days ahead of the UK’s biggest cycling commuting event.
More than 50 parking bays and 122 bikes will now be available, covering Wimborne, Colehill, West Parley, West Moors and Ferndown.
Beryl’s shared scheme launches just ahead of national Cycle to Work Day on Thursday 4 August. This event aims to encourage commuters all around the country to get on their bikes and get into work on two wheels.
The Dorset bikeshare will link up with the firm’s existing Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) scheme.
It is funded through southeast Dorset’s Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) programme, aimed at reducing congestion, protecting the environment and encouraging active travel in the region.
“Active travel is a core part of our Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy, and will help us reduce Dorset’s carbon emissions to net zero,” said Cllr Simon Gibson, Dorset Council’s Lead Member for Highways.
“This means we need to make cycling easy and accessible for as many of our residents as possible.”
The scheme will boost sustainable transport links in the area, allowing more people to make the following cycle journeys:
- From Wimborne – Ferndown (20 mins) Parley Cross (30 mins) Colehill (5 mins) West Moors (25 mins) Bournemouth (50 mins), Christchurch (58 mins), Poole (36 mins)
- From Ferndown – Moors Valley Country Park (25 mins) Verwood (30 mins) Colehill (15 mins) West Moors (8 mins) Parley Cross (12 mins) Bournemouth (42 mins), Christchurch (43 mins), Poole (53 mins)
“We are absolutely delighted to be able to launch the scheme in Southeast Dorset and, in doing so, enable more people to take advantage of the excellent local cycling infrastructure,” said Beryl’s CEO Philip Ellis.
“As with all of our schemes, this scheme 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.”
The expansion means that more than 1,000 Beryl bikes are now available to hire in Dorset.
Since the BCP scheme launched in 2019, riders have made over 1,099,500 journeys over a distance of more than 4,147,780 km.
