CYCLISTS will be able to get about the Faithful City more easily with hundreds of new e-bikes and pedal bikes now available to hire. 

Launched this afternoon (June 17), Beryl will see 175 e-bikes and 50 pedal bikes made available to hire from several bays across the city. 

Around 35 bays have been installed across Worcester, with the promise of about 18 more in the coming weeks. 

Anyone aged 16 or over will now be able to cycle between bays, however, anyone flaunting the rules and dumping the bikes on pavements will be hit with a £10 fine. 

Beryl CEO and co-founder Phil Ellis told the Worcester News he was confident this would deter people from dropping the bikes wherever they liked.  

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He added: "We've had the pandemic which has seen massive shifts in how people want to travel and now we have a scheme in Hereford that's really successful and hopefully we can replicate that in Worcester. 

"We have experienced all sorts of challenges in other areas in terms of ensuring the e-bikes are safe to ride and available at all times.

"We feel we have done a lot to understand people and are now in a position to offer Worcester a service that's really able to get up and running straight away.

"Cycling is good for the rider, it is great for their health and is better for everyone else as it will mean fewer cars on our streets as well."

(Image: Ryan Smith at Newsquest)

The bikes can be used on roads and shared paths, however, they will not be allowed on footpaths. 

Should people wish to use these bikes, they will have to register using the Beryl smartphone app.

The fixed locations where people can park are available to view on the Beryl app. 

A consultation has taken place with residents living immediately by the proposed bay areas, with feedback resulting in some not being implemented.  

Beryl has a long-term contract in Worcester of at least four years, with the option to extend it. 

A similar e-bike hire scheme has been in place in nearby Hereford since 2019.