Bee Network cycle hire scheme trial launches
19 Nov 2021
A public trial of a cycle hire programme has launched following a testing phase
Transport for Greater Manchester, working in partnership with Manchester City Council, Salford City Council and Trafford Council, is launching a trial of Greater Manchester’s first publicly operated, self-service, 24/7 cycle hire programme, Bee Network Cycle Hire.
Bikes are available to hire following the launch on 18 November. Cycle hire stations are being installed at key locations across Manchester and Salford, with more bikes added to the existing fleet.
The full scheme will launch in June 2022 when 1,500 bikes, including 300 e-bikes, will become available to the public.
The scheme will be run on a day-to-day basis by Beryl, the experienced bike-share company which already works with other cities and regions.
About the bikes
Pedal and e-bikes will be available to hire. Both vehicle types feature adjustable saddles and a range of safety features; making cycling an accessible option for a trip to the shops, the commute to work, getting into university, or hopping across town for a meeting or social.
The bikes are GPS tracked and will be monitored by a dedicated on-street team which will ensure they are safe and secure. They have been designed to be tamper proof and a stolen bike alert system has been agreed with GMP – meaning they can be easily spotted.
How to access the bikes
To access the bikes you must download the Beryl app and create an account. The app is used to unlock the bikes and process payments. Bikes need to be returned to a station to avoid incurring a charge. If a station is full, it will be possible to securely lock the bikes as close to the station as you can, ensuring it is left in a safe location.
Price
Bee Network Cycle Hire will be one of the best value cycle hire schemes in the UK. Pedal bikes will cost 50p to unlock and 5p per minute to use, while e-bikes will cost £1 to unlock and 10p per minute to use.
Roadshow events
The public launch will be promoted through a number of roadshow events to engage students, businesses and the wider public in conversations around the practicalities and travel benefits of the scheme.
The specific location and timings of further events will be advertised in due course.
More information
For key information about the scheme, including costs and safety considerations, unlocking and parking, please see TfGM’s Frequently Asked Questions page.
Cycle hire stations, which will be placed across parts of Manchester, Salford and Trafford, will typically be between only 300-500m apart, ensuring that up to 198,000 residents are never more than a five-minute walk from a bicycle.
Once fully operational, the scheme will provide an affordable, convenient, and quick way to travel that will contribute to wider goals of decarbonisation and tackling climate change.
The scheme will be managed and funded by TfGM, on behalf of Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and operated on a day-to-day basis by Beryl, the experienced bike-share company which already works with other cities and regions including London, Watford, Bournemouth, Norwich and Hereford.
The Bee Network cycle hire scheme is part of the wider Destination: Bee Network plan, which aims to provide a fully-integrated public transport system joining together cycling, buses, trams and walking by 2024, with rail incorporated by 2030, to transform how people travel in Greater Manchester.