Low demand for Beryl bikes in some BCP areas sees bays removed

More than a dozen bays have been removed after data showed that they were only being used once every three days on average.

But councillor Mike Greene, BCP Council’s cabinet member for transport, said it was “a temporary measure” that he hoped would be reversed when demand increases in the summer.

Beryl’s bike share scheme is operated across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole on behalf of the council, allowing people to hire and drop of bikes in marked bays.

But in January it removed 13 of the least-used ones, prompting concerns non-car travel options were being reduced outside of town centres.

Over the preceding six months, they had been used once in every three days on average – about one-quarter of typical usage – and by only 77 different people in total.

Councillor David Brown said the decision had led to “an inequality in service provision” for people living in northern parts of Bournemouth and Poole.

But Cllr Greene said it was a temporary decision taken by Beryl which runs the scheme for the council at no cost.

He said he would be “pressing” for the bays to be reinstated “as early as possible” once demand for the service rises in the summer months.

“Although I am disappointed by [the decision], I can understand Beryl’s commercial decision to withdraw service from the north Poole and north Bournemouth areas of the scheme,” he said. “Ultimately we need the overall scheme to be commercially viable if it is to continue and flourish as we hope.”

“Beryl have reassured me that the revised operating area is only a temporary measure.

“The council liaises regularly with Beryl and…I hope the bays can be brought back into use as the weather improves and the demand increases.”

He added that with the council’s Transforming Cities Fund work due to start in the coming months there would be “an opportunity” to encourage greater use of the bike share scheme making it more financially viable in the affected areas.