WORCESTER'S cycling revolution has gone up a gear since Beryl came to the faithful city.

The bicycle hire scheme launched on Monday, June 17, saw 175 e-bikes and 50 pedal bikes being placed in 35 bays across the city.

Since then, an extra 18 bays have been added around Worcester.

The bikes have proved to be popular with residents: nearly 53,000 kilometres have been travelled across almost 20,000 journeys since the scheme's launch.

A spokesperson for Beryl said: "We're delighted with the impact that the scheme has had since launching with thousands of people across the city already choosing to give shared sustainable transport a try.

"We'll continue to work with our partners at Worcester City Council and listen to feedback from riders and stakeholders to help keep the scheme as fun, accessible and easy-to-use as possible."

Beryl estimate that nearly two tonnes of carbon emissions have been saved through people using the scheme with around one-third of trips made by bike replacing a trip that would've been made using a different mode of transport.

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One concern held by people when scheme was announced was the dumping of bikes in random locations around the city. 

However, the vast majority of trips have seen bikes returned to other bays, the spokesperson explained: "Around 95 per cent of all the journeys made since the scheme launch have ended in a bay, which is similar to equivalent sized schemes that we operate.

"When a bike is left out of a bay or out of zone, the user is charged a fee which helps us to maintain as well-stocked and user-friendly a scheme as possible.

"We also work with West Mercia Police to investigate any incident or theft or criminal damage and retain the option to suspend and ban accounts for improper use of the scheme."

Many in Worcester have welcomed the introduction of the bikes to the city's streets.

Jenny Watkins said: "My daughter thinks they are brilliant, she lives in town and has nowhere to keep a bike.

"It's just what Worcester needed."

Nicholas Daniel said: "They are quite good for getting into town and back.

"Just need them in more places as it takes me a 10 minute walk to get to the nearest bikes."

However, everyone has shares the belief that the bikes were the most important addition to Worcester.

Sue Purcell said: "I'm sure they could have found something more urgent to spend the money on.

"I think they are a great idea, just not at this moment in time when the roads are full of pot holes."

Christine Thompson said: "Depends on how much they cost to be put in in the first place."

Despite the winter months expected to bring cold and wet weather, Beryl believe the bikes will remain popular: "We understand that people can be unsure about riding through the winter months but all the benefits remain.

"Our bikes and e-bikes remain convenient, fun, flexible, easy-to-use and cost effective, removing the expense of parking, fuel, MOT, storage and maintenance."