Dockless bikes to return to Hackney in October
Dockless bikes will return to Hackney’s streets this month after the Council commissioned Beryl and Jump to introduce over 500 across the borough.
Both companies will fund dedicated parking areas for dockless bikes as part of the agreement, with users fined if they leave bikes outside of these areas, ensuring that Hackney’s pavements remain accessible to everyone.
The new bikes will provide a range of benefits for those looking to use a bike for a one-way trip, with Jump costing £1 plus 12p a minute after the first five minutes for its electrically assisted bikes and Beryl bikes costing £1 plus 5p minute for its pedal-powered bikes.
The announcement follows a competitive procurement process on dockless bikes in the borough, which was carried out by the Council to select partners and establish terms to ensure Hackney’s pavements remain accessible.
We’re London’s top borough for cycling, with a higher proportion of journeys made by bike than any other. We support dockless bikes because they can play a big role in getting more people cycling. However, we need to balance this with the needs of people using pavements, particularly those with mobility or visual impairments, ensuring that dockless bikes don’t make it harder for them to get around.
This landmark agreement with Beryl and Jump to introduce dockless bikes to Hackney will encourage people who don’t have space for a bike - or who just want to use one point to point - to cycle more. By securing funding from Beryl and Jump to provide dedicated parking areas, we’re also showing the really important regulatory role councils have in making sure our public spaces work for everyone while continuing to support active travel. This agreement is another step towards our ambitious target of ensuring 55% of all journeys in Hackney are made on foot or by bike by 2025.
Operators Beryl and Jump will also make a financial contribution to the Council to help it manage the scheme and promote cycling to residents. As part of the Council’s agreement with the operators, it will assess the level of usage, how the bikes are being distributed and where they are being left to make sure they can be targeted at getting more people cycling.