Popularity of Belfast Bikes scheme on the decline with rentals down 50% since 2021

THE popularity of the Belfast Bikes scheme is declining, new figures suggest.

Despite an increase in the number of docking stations for bikes, rentals have fallen by almost 50% since 2021.

The Belfast Bikes scheme was launched in 2015 and works by users downloading an app, registering an account and scanning a Qr-code to release the bike from its dock. It can then be used before being returned to a dock anywhere in the city.

An annual membership to the scheme costs £25, while a threeday casual membership costs £6.

By the end of 2015 there were 33 docking stations across Belfast, with 330 bikes available. There were 5,336 registrations to the scheme in its first year and 143,222 rentals.

Following its establishment, the scheme grew fairly steadily, peaking in 2021 with 236,570 rentals.

Since 2021, the popularity of Belfast Bikes looks to have waned.

At the end of 2023, there were 56 docking stations and 427 bikes available. Despite more docking stations and bikes, registrations were down to 28,034 and total rentals dropped to 119,135.

It should be noted there was a change in the registration process in March 2023, resulting in all current users at the time having to re-register. However, total rentals were still down by 49.6% from 2021.

While much of 2021’s uptake on the scheme was put down to Covid, some have said other factors are at play when it comes to the decrease in rentals since, including ageing bikes and the safety of Belfast’s cycle network.

Belfast Green Party councillor Brian Smyth said during the pandemic it was safer for people to cycle because of a lack of cars on the roads. “Now people just don’t feel as safe cycling in this city,” he said.

“For me the future of the Belfast Bikes scheme is two-fold.

The first is the delivery of the Belfast Cycling Network Delivery Plan, which is with the Department for Infrastructure (DFI), particularly in terms of shortterm routes.

“I do believe that you will see, with the increase of safe, segregated cycling infrastructure across the city, an increase in the number of people cycling and using Belfast Bikes.”

The Belfast Cycling Network Delivery Plan seeks to improve the city’s cycling network through 50 individual schemes over 10 years, up to 2031.

A spokesperson for the active travel charity Sustrans said the Belfast Bikes scheme has been successful overall, but it is “disappointing” the provision of safe infrastructure for cycling has not kept up with Belfast City Council’s ambitions.

“In Belfast there are just two miles of protected cycle lanes, which are physically separated from traffic and pedestrians,” they added.

“This figure has not changed since 2019, according to the Belfast Walking & Cycling Index 2023, published jointly by Sustrans and DFI.”

A Belfast City Council spokesperson said 2021 was an “exceptional year” for several of its assets, including the Belfast Bikes scheme.

“Following this, Belfast Bikes has returned to more typical usage for the type and age of the scheme,” they added.

“Belfast City Council is committed to sustainable connectivity across Belfast. A new procurement exercise for the Belfast Bikes scheme is under way and a new sponsor of the scheme is due to be announced in coming weeks.”