Popular bike share scheme set to expand
THE NUMBER of bicycles in Cardiff’s popular bike-sharing scheme is set to double next year with an extra 500 bikes.
There will be an extra 65 docking stations added to the existing network, with a public consultation launched to see where Cardiffians would like them based.
The new bikes will be added to the nextbike scheme from next spring, with the full 500 to be installed by the end of the summer.
In total there would be 1,000 bikes and 120 docking stations across the city.
Nextbike say the expansion, which will create 10 more jobs to service the fleet, has been made possible by an £800,000 investment from the Welsh Government.
The company’s bosses have also revealed ambitions to introduce accessibility bikes as part of the expansion to improve its offering for disabled people.
It would become the first major bike share scheme in the UK to do so.
A subsidised annual membership will also be offered to people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The company’s managing director Julian Scriven said: “The demand for bike share in Cardiff has been phenomenal since we launched with 25 bikes in March.
“The community has completely embraced the scheme and it’s largely thanks to public demand that the scheme is set to grow at such a fast rate.
“Cardiff Council, the Welsh Government, Cardiff University and a number of other stakeholders have also shown fantastic commitment to enable Cardiff to realise its ambition to become one of the best cycling cities in the UK.”
He added: “We’re now keen to hear from members of the public to find out where they would like to see the new docking stations located to ensure we’re meeting the needs of the community.”
A consultation will be launched over the coming weeks seeking advice from the public about where the new docking stations should be placed.
Caro Wild, Cardiff council cabinet member for strategic planning and transport, said: “Cardiff has clearly fallen in love with its nextbikes.
“Following a significant number of requests for more stations and additional bikes, I am pleased to announce that the scheme will double in size again.
“By this summer, there will be 1,000 bikes located at over 120 docking stations in wards across the city.
“The success of the scheme in Cardiff continues to grow and is further evidence that Cardiff can become one of the very best cycling cities in the UK.
“Our commitment to improving the cycling infrastructure will also become a reality, with further news on the cycling super highways expected shortly.”