Vote on bikeplan

A bike share scheme could be set up in South Lanarkshire to boost active travel in the region.

Councillors were set to vote on a motion by Rutherglen Central and North councillor Martin Lennon yesterday (Wednesday, March 10) to explore options for a bike sharing scheme.

Cllr Lennon said it would help “make it easier to cycle” for residents as well as helping to “foster a cyclingfriendly culture on the roads”.

Public bike sharing schemes have been set up to improve access to cycling and active travel options in places like Glasgow and London.

The scheme would see bikes purchased by the local authority for people to hire from hubs across the region.

Glasgow’s nextbike scheme allows users to rent standard bikes or e-bikes via an app, hotline or customer card and costs up to £10 per day.

Public bike sharing schemes can encourage people to take up cycling and create an environment on the roads which is safer for and more welcoming to new cyclists.

If agreed, Cllr Lennon’s motion would see a report brought back to committee in six months with options to create a South Lanarkshire wide scheme or extend the Glasgow scheme into South Lanarkshire.

He said: “Bike share schemes have been hugely popular all over the world, and several have worked here in Scotland.

“Over the course of the pandemic we’ve seen how important it is to keep active and active travel can be a big part of that.

“The council has some money from the Scottish Government ring-fenced for active travel and if we can use some of that to get a bikeshare scheme off the ground it could be a great opportunity.”