In a significant boost for sustainable transportation, shared transport operator Beryl, in collaboration with Cornwall Council, has announced the extension of its popular e-bike share scheme to Saltash.
This expansion, launching on Tuesday 26 March, adds 44 new Beryl e-bikes into the mix, available from 15 freshly installed Beryl bays across Saltash and Plymouth. This move aims to ease traffic congestion, lower carbon emissions, and promote active lifestyles among the local population.
Special Launch Offer
To mark the occasion, Beryl is introducing a special promotion, offering free unlocking and a ten-minute reduction off the total journey time for the first three months, starting from Tuesday 26th March to Wednesday 26th June 2024. This offer is exclusively available for journeys starting and ending in any of the 15 new bays in Saltash, encouraging residents and visitors to explore the area sustainably.
Funding and Goals
This scheme, overseen by Beryl on behalf of Cornwall Council, is part of a broader £2.8m investment into active travel across Cornwall, sourced from the Good Growth programme funded by the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Phil Ellis, Beryl’s CEO and co-founder, expressed his enthusiasm about making active travel more accessible and enjoyable for Saltash residents, highlighting the versatility and convenience of e-bikes for various journeys.
Local Support and Success
Cornwall Council’s commitment to enhancing sustainable travel options is evident, with Richard Williams-Pears, the cabinet portfolio holder for transport, acknowledging the scheme’s growing success. Since its inception in Falmouth in September 2022, the e-bike share scheme has notably expanded across Cornwall, supporting numerous communities in adopting greener travel habits.
Saltash Town Council has also thrown its support behind this expansion, granting permission for Beryl stands on strategic locations to enhance connectivity and promote active travel within the town. Councillor Richard Bickford encouraged residents to take advantage of the free trial, highlighting the convenience of accessing key town locations without relying on a vehicle.
Impact and Feedback
The e-bike share scheme has demonstrated considerable impact since its launch, with ridership numbers revealing a significant replacement of road transport journeys with e-bike rides. This shift has contributed to a substantial reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, aligning with broader environmental and health objectives.
Beryl’s dedication to high standards of social and environmental responsibility is further underscored by its B-Corp certification and the appointment of local not-for-profit social enterprise, Bikespace, to manage maintenance and logistics for the Saltash expansion.
Looking Forward
As the scheme goes live, Saltash residents are poised to embrace a new era of sustainable transportation. With a variety of payment options tailored to different user needs, including Pay As You Ride and Minute Bundles, the scheme offers flexibility and affordability. The success in Cornwall and Plymouth sets a promising precedent for Saltash’s journey towards greener, healthier travel options.
