Leeds City Bikes

Find out about a new eco-friendly and affordable public electric bike hire service launched September 2023 in Leeds.

We have appointed Beryl to set up an e-bike hire service in Leeds to provide a cost effective and low carbon active travel choice in the city. This has been made possible by funding secured by Leeds City Council from the Carbon Mitigation fund. This fund is embedded within the Transforming Cities Fund, part of the West Yorkshire Mayoral devolution deal.

The first phase will include the city centre and key travel routes where demand is likely to be highest. An estimated 300 e-bikes will be available initially, from conveniently located docking stations around the city. The bike allocation will double in size over the first 6 months of the service.

Aims

Leeds City Bikes are for everyone, to help you travel short distances in a quick, easy and eco-friendly way. The service will:

• create a network of e-bikes available from docking stations located at close intervals for convenience
  
• provide an accessible and cost-effective travel option
• complement the dedicated cycleways that have been built across Leeds, offering safer routes for everyday cycling
• be expanded into new locations and developments as demand for the service grows
• be delivered in consultation with communities and key stakeholders to ensure the scheme provides the best possible service to users
• work closely with accessibility groups to ensure the bikes and docking stations will be available to as many users as possible

Benefits

Leeds City Bikes is supporting us to deliver the Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy, to help make Leeds a city where you don't need a car. This includes de-carbonising travel, improving health and wellbeing and promoting accessibility and social mobility along with an affordable, quick and easy transport option.

There are many benefits to the service, which will:

• enable people to access the amenities they need, from places of work, education, shopping, and leisure destinations without the need for a car
• provide an easier access point compared to conventional bike ownership, especially for larger families or shared households, where cycle storage is limited
• support people who want to regain cycling confidence or experience and people who are looking to take up cycling, without the need to purchase a bike
• provide travel for commuting, with the extra electrical assist power requiring less effort and allowing users to arrive at work quicker, as fresh as when they left the house
• be designed for everyday cyclists, with a basket on the front for larger baggage and a rear rack (to support extra baggage) with bungee straps to secure
  

Sponsorship and advertising opportunities

Find out how to register your interest and learn about sponsorship and advertising opportunities in Leeds.

Beryl bikes and app

British e-bike hire operator Beryl was chosen as the best supplier for the scheme after a successful tendering process.

Beryl is the UK's leading micromobility company, championing sustainable travel options to help reduce road congestion and improve air quality and public health.

The e-bikes will be accessed via the Beryl app - available for free download. external link.

The fully docked scheme will ensure the bikes are locked in a secure way after use.

Bike street team

Beryl will provide an on-street team to look after the bikes, including general maintenance such as changing the batteries and mechanical servicing.

They will be the eyes and ears of the project on the ground, reporting any issues or antisocial behaviour.

No mess or clutter

Their main role will be bike redistribution around the city. The service works within docked bays and if a bike is not returned to a bay the rider will face extra charges. Where possible, sustainable cargo bikes or electrical vehicles are used to do this.

Prices

There are lots of ways to pay and ride.

Find the full pricing guide, including extra fees, on the Leeds City Bikes page on the Beryl website external link.