BCP Council extends Beryl partnership

Residents will be able to continue using e-bikes and e-scooters to travel sustainably following confirmation Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council has extended its partnership with Beryl for a further five years.
​
The new contract will see the green transport operator providing 800 pedal bikes, 750 e-bikes and 500 e-scooters for instant hire across more than 400 parking bays across the local area until 2028.
For the first time, there are also plans to introduce a handful of innovative e-cargo bikes for local businesses, with these eco-friendly vehicles able to carry out sustainable deliveries aimed at replacing trips a van would normally do.

The Beryl initiative has been running across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole since June 2019, and continues to grow in popularity as more people choose scooters and bicycles to make short journeys.

Since the scheme was introduced across the conurbation four-and-a-half years ago, it has generated more than 1,827,000 rides across nearly 6.4million kilometres – the equivalent of nearly 160 journeys around the Earth.

These journeys have had a significant impact on reducing traffic congestion across Dorset, replacing 650,000 private vehicle journeys.

They’ve also contributed towards getting people active and improving air quality, preventing more than 235 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

The achievements of the partnership between Beryl and BCP Council saw it claim The Municipal Journal (MJ) Award for the UK’s Best Transport Decarbonisation Project back in June this year – an accolade considered the highest level of recognition in the UK local authority community.

Beryl have also provided over 180,000 free rides to job seekers, students, low-income hospitality workers, refugees, cycle training organisations and other community group members across the conurbation as part of their Community Champions initiative.

They have also provided opportunities, skills, and training to those with additional learning needs and continue to work with the council on its Supported Internships project, which helps young people aged 19 to 25 who have completed formal school and college but need a final hand in gaining paid employment.