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Date: 09 Apr 2025
Belfast City Council has announced Beryl as the incoming operator of the Belfast Bikes scheme.
E-bikes will also be introduced to the fleet for the first time, due to funding received by the Department for Infrastructure. Council has been awarded £500,000 for the introduction of e-bikes to the bike hire scheme as part of a funding boost by the Department to support Active Travel projects across Northern Ireland.
The current scheme will continue to operate until Beryl takes over the scheme and introduce new bikes and e-bikes later in the year. The infrastructure for the 60 on-street docking stations will be replaced in a phased approach to accommodate the initial suite of 400 new bikes. When fully launched, the new operation will have both traditional pedal bikes and e-bikes, offering a sustainable choice for users.
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray, said: “Belfast Bikes was launched 10 years ago and offers an affordable, sustainable and convenient way for residents, visitors and people working in the city, to travel around. Beryl brings a range of experience at delivering successful bike hire schemes in other cities across the UK and we are looking forward to seeing Belfast Bikes move into its next phase during this significant year.
We are delighted to introduce e-bikes for the first time thanks to Active Travel Enabling grant funding from the Department for Infrastructure. The bike scheme has helped to create a better connected, low carbon and climate resilient city, which helps to meet Council’s resilience ambition of being an inclusive, net-zero emissions economy in a generation.
Council is working closely with both the current and new operator on a transition plan to reduce interruption to the bikes’ service for users. We will announce a launch date of the new scheme in future and hope to welcome new users to the scheme.
Beryl is the UK’s leading shared sustainable transport provider, championing greener travel options to help reduce road congestion and improve air quality and public health. It currently operates 17 bike, e-bike and e-cargo bike hire schemes, delivered in partnership with local councils.
Beryl CEO, Phil Ellis, said: "Beryl is thrilled to be partnering with Belfast City Council to launch our innovative bike share scheme this summer. Bringing 400 vehicles, including 300 pedal bikes and, excitingly, 100 of our popular e-bikes, we’re aiming to provide a fresh and accessible way for residents and visitors to explore this fantastic city.
The introduction of our e-bikes marks a significant step, offering a new, convenient, and sustainable travel option that Belfast hasn’t seen before. We believe these e-bikes will be particularly beneficial, making longer journeys and navigating the city’s routes even easier.
As we launch this scheme, we’re committed to working closely with the Council and the community to ensure it's a success. We hope that these bikes and e-bikes will encourage more people to embrace active travel, reduce congestion, and enjoy all that Belfast has to offer during the beautiful summer months and beyond.
The Department for Infrastructure recently announced a £1.9m funding boost to support Councils to deliver seven Active Travel projects, including the introduction of e-bikes to Belfast Bikes.
Infrastructure Minister, Liz Kimmins, said: “Creating cleaner and greener connections is one of my Department’s seven Foundations for a Better Future. I am committed to supporting councils to realise their ambitions and I am pleased that my Department is able to provide capital funding support to this project. I hope that the introduction of e-bikes to the Belfast bike fleet will encourage more people, who would perhaps not consider using a traditional bicycle, to give an e-bike a try as part of their shorter every day journeys around the city. This is not just good for the environment but is also beneficial for our physical and mental wellbeing.
Full details of the new operation including tariffs and registration process will be announced in due course. The current operation of Belfast Bikes will continue to operate as normal until further notice.
For more information or to register for Belfast Bikes, visit belfastbikes.co.uk