RESIDENTS will get their first opportunity to see the dockless bikes coming to the conurbation this summer at two open days.

Operator Beryl is launching the scheme in Bournemouth and Poole next month, with an initial supply of 50 bikes eventually rising to 1,000.

Ahead of their arrival, the provider and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council have scheduled two days where people can meet the Beryl team, take a look at the bikes and ask any questions they may have.

The first event takes place at Bournemouth Library on Wednesday, April 24, followed by the second at Poole in the EcoHub at the Dolphin Centre on Thursday, April 25. Both information sessions run from 12pm to 6pm.

Bournemouth and Poole is set to be Beryl’s first bike share scheme, the firm having previously worked on providing lights for other firms’ initiatives in major cities such as London, New York, Montreal and Glasgow.

An exact launch date has not been confirmed but it is due to be before the end of May.

The council awarded Beryl a five-year contract to provide the bikes across the conurbation. As part of the initiative, the scheme will be entirely dockless, with riders instead leaving their bikes in specific parking zones, which have been coined ‘Beryl Bays’, using a lock through the rear wheel to secure the bike.

Alternatively, users can leave a Beryl bike outside these designated areas but they will be charged a convenience fee.

Phase one of Beryl’s plans will see more than 100 bays across the area, with hopes to develop the provision further through eBikes, cargo bikes and expansion into Christchurch. The exact location of the initial bays has not yet been revealed by Beryl or the council.

The bike, which weighs around 5kg and has built in lights, is equipped with GPS tracking so Beryl know where their bikes are at all times and can redistribute those not in use appropriately across the conurbation.

Users gain access to a dockless bike by using a mobile app and placing their smart phone towards the NFC reader on the bike.

Beryl have plans to provide cards so anyone who does not have a smart phone can still use the bikes.

BH Active Travel Forum chairman Jason Falconer said: “We wish the Beryl project the best luck with their launch in the BH area.”