City's e-bike scheme to launch in March - council

An electric bike hire scheme in Bradford which had been due to get under way earlier this year will now be launched next spring, the council has confirmed.

The scheme, which was approved in September 2024, was "on track" and expected to begin in March, according to Bradford Council.

The e-bike network is expected to cover major locations, including Bradford Interchange, Forster Square Station and Bradford University, as well as the city's hospitals, colleges and cycle superhighways.

Sarah Ferriby, the authority's executive member for healthy people and places, said it would give residents and visitors "a convenient and easy option for journeys around the city".

Users would be able to hire the bikes from docking stations and then return them to either the same or another station when they had finished their journey, a spokesperson for the authority said.

According to the council, the scheme, to be operated by Beryl, which already runs an e-bike hire scheme in Leeds, would be funded by cash raised from the city's Clean Air Zone charge.

The council spokesperson said it would begin consulting residents and businesses over proposed locations for the docking stations from the new year.

Usage data and analysis would guide ongoing improvements and a potential expansion of the network, with incentives and discounts being offered "to ensure affordability and encourage widespread participation", they added.

Bradford Council previously said the scheme would consist of up to 200 electric bikes at 50 docking stations across the district.

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