Eagle-eyed Islanders will have noticed electric bikes popping up at various locations across the Isle of Wight.
As part of its latest trial, Beryl, the company behind the Island's e-scooters, is now rolling out e-bikes around the region.
The scheme, called ‘Beryl Bikes by Breeze’, offers a mixture of e-bikes and pedal bikes for hire across Portsmouth, Southampton and on the Isle of Wight.
Beryl Bikes by Breeze is part of the Solent Future Transport Zone, funded by the Department for Transport.
It aims to help reduce congestion and CO2 emissions, improve air quality, and inspire healthy and affordable active travel choices across the Solent region.
Starting with an initial pool of 200 pedal bikes and 235 e-bikes it will increase to a fleet of more than 1000 bikes across the region by spring of next year.
Riders will be able to hire a bike through the new micromobility app, Breeze, developed by Solent Transport. Breeze also lets you hire both Beryl and Voi e-scooters and plan journeys on buses and trains across south Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The bikes also work with the Beryl app.
Isle of Wight Councillor Phil Jordan, Cabinet Member for Transport, Isle of Wight Council, said:
“Beryl have already been successfully running the e-scooter trial on the Isle of Wight. As part of the ongoing plans, we are pleased to be able to introduce e-bikes, giving residents and visitors an even better choice of ways to travel. Beryl Bikes by Breeze will initially be available in Cowes, Newport, and Ryde with the possibility of expanding this offer to other areas on the Island next spring.
"The e-bikes can be used on many routes, roads, and cycle ways, and more especially, used on the Red Squirrel Trail, which will allow riders to enjoy largely traffic–free cycling through the heart of the Island’s beautiful countryside.”
Both Breeze and Beryl apps are available to download from the App Store for iOS and the Google Play Store for Android users.
Once registered, you can use the apps to simply pick up and drop off bikes at secure parking places close to where you live and work.
Beryl Bikes by Breeze users can Pay-As-You-Ride (£1 unlock fee + 5p per minute for bikes, £1.50 unlock fee + 10p per minute for e-bikes). Once their ride is complete, users simply close the lock on the bike to end their ride and make the bike available for the next person to use. GPS trackers on the bikes will alert Beryl to any misuse, vandalism and vehicles ending up in locations outside the zone of operation.
The bikes are fully insured through Beryl’s public liability insurance. This is included in the prices charged for bike hire. Riders must observe the Highway Code and are strongly encouraged to wear a safety helmet and hi-vis clothing when using the bikes.
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