Article Source: Edinburgh Council
Last Updated: 14 July 2020 13:45
People have been able to try out the bikes for free since 29 June under an initiative giving riders their first 30 minutes of use at no cost, encouraging the public to give cycling a go. Since then more than 2000 free passes have been redeemed.
The second phase of the deal aims to promote long-term use of the bikes by providing a limited number of four-month passes for just £10. The ‘Back to Work pass’ replaces the existing 30 minutes free offer to support people to consider alternatives to private car use while managing demand for public transport as they return to work. This has been made possible by funding from Transport Scotland through the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places programme.
Since the beginning of lockdown there has been a significant increase in cycling, with numbers up by 16% across the city’s bike counters, while the bike hire scheme experienced its most successful day yet. To help people cycle and walk safely while observing physical distancing as lockdown restrictions are eased, we’re in the process of introducing temporary changes across the city, from road closures to temporary cycle lanes.
In June, both Edinburgh and Glasgow launched free cycle share initiatives, made possible with funding from Transport Scotland through the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places programme, managed by charity Paths for All. Similarly to an annual pass, the £10 ‘Back to Work pass’ lets users hire a pedal bike for up to an hour at time, with per-minute charges after an hour, and removes the unlock fee on e-bikes. This will be available as the ‘Back to Work Pass’ option on the Just Eat Cycle app from 7am on Monday, 13 June
During May, 100 free passes were also given to NHS workers as part of a project between the cycle hire scheme and Sustrans Scotland using funding from Transport Scotland through Sustrans’ Partnership programme.
Edinburgh’s cycle hire scheme, sponsored by Just Eat and managed by Serco, has over 500 bikes, including 160 e-bikes, available for hire, with 107 stations across the Capital.
Anyone making use of the latest bike hire offer will benefit from an increasing number of improvements to streets across the city to make it easier and safer to walk, cycle and wheel as lockdown is lifted. The ‘Spaces for People’ measures include temporary segregated cycle lanes on George IV Bridge, Old Dalkeith Road and in local shopping streets around Edinburgh.
Find out more about the Edinburgh cycle hire scheme online at edinburghcyclehire.com.
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