Worcester's residents and visitors will be able to travel around the city by pedal and electric power next spring, if a proposed new bike share scheme gets the go-ahead.
If backed by councillors, the scheme would see 225 bicycles - 175 of them electric bikes – available to hire by various means, including by the minute, from numerous locations across the city. Worcester City Council's aim is that 85 per cent of residents would have just a five-minute walk from their home to access a bike.
It is expected that the bikes would be available from more than 50 different parking bays, ensuring convenience for residents and visitors alike.
The project is to be supported by part of a £4.5million Active Travel Fund, one of five projects allocated money from the City Council's successful bid for £19.6 million from the Government's Towns Fund. £700,000 has been earmarked for the bike share scheme, which it is hoped will be up and running during May 2024.
Worcester City Council's Health and Wellbeing Committee will meet on 23 October, when councillors will be asked to approve the appointment of a contractor to deliver the scheme.
Worcester City Council's Managing Director, David Blake, said: "The Bike Share scheme will provide residents and visitors with a convenient and easy option for journeys around the city. Increasing the accessibility of cycling as an alternative means of travel will also help support the Council's goals to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality across the city."
Emily Barker, Head of Planning and Transport Planning at Worcestershire County Council, said: "We are delighted to be working with the City Council on this exciting project which will benefit both residents and visitors.
"These bikes will offer extra travel choice and will be very easy to access for a large majority of people."
