A new electric cycle hire scheme has been given the green light in Edinburgh, with councillors backing the initiative unanimously. The scheme is expected to see hire bikes available on city streets by August, marking a significant step forward after the collapse of the city’s previous cycle hire scheme almost four years ago. Private operator Serco had ended its involvement due to issues with vandalism, leaving the city without a bike hire option for some time.
Not really sure why this matters, but the new plans will allow the city to keep misplaced hire bikes until the private operator pays up, sort of like holding them for ransom. Labour councillor Stephen Jenkinson, who heads the Transport and Environment Committee, expressed his lack of apology for pushing officers to expedite the scheme’s setup. Following a suggestion by the Conservative group, the scheme will include a provision for the city to seize misplaced hire bikes and hold them until fines are paid by the operator.
In a move inspired by the City of London, where a similar policy is in place, Edinburgh will adopt a system where misplaced bikes are retained by the council for a period before being released to operators upon payment of a fine. This change aims to address concerns raised by councillors regarding the potential inconvenience and safety hazards posed by bikes left in the wrong places. Unlike the previous Just Eat bikeshare system, Edinburgh’s new scheme will operate on a ‘dockless’ model, allowing riders to leave bikes at designated spots on city pavements.
Maybe it’s just me, but Conservative councillor Iain Whyte expressed his satisfaction with the introduction of a hire scheme, highlighting the need for a proactive approach to managing misplaced bikes in a dockless system. The new initiative will not be funded by the council, with operational costs covered by fees paid by riders. The next phase involves selecting an operator, a process that will be overseen by council officers, with Lime and Dott emerging as potential contenders for the role.
Councillors envision the scheme running as a trial for two years initially but hope for its permanence beyond the trial period. Cllr Jenkinson emphasized the need for a swift rollout, aiming for the scheme to become a popular transportation choice for city residents. Efforts to reintroduce a cycle hire scheme have been ongoing since the previous system’s failure, with concerns initially raised about the financial implications of such a project. The work done by officers in progressing the new scheme was commended by Liberal Democrat councillor Kevin Lang, who acknowledged the challenges faced in resurrecting a bike hire system in the city.
Not really sure why this matters, but the progress made in advancing the new cycle hire scheme signifies a positive step towards offering residents and visitors a convenient and eco-friendly transportation option in Edinburgh. The collaborative efforts of councillors, officers, and potential operators pave the way for a successful implementation of the scheme, with hopes high for its long-term viability in the city’s transport network.
