Liverpool’s new cycle hire scheme, citybike, has been officially launched by Olympic cyclist, Chris Boardman.
Gold medallist Chris got citybike off the starting blocks at Liverpool’s Pier Head this morning.
citybike, which was named by the public in an online vote, will be launched with 80 bikes available at ten locations across the city centre. The scheme, run by Liverpool City Council, will quickly expand to include areas such as Sefton Park and Lark Lane, and by 2015, there will be 1,000 bikes in over 100 locations across the city to become the largest cycle hire scheme in the country, outside of London.
Chris Boardman said: “I’m a big fan of the citybike scheme. It offers a fantastic way to get around the city while also being cheap, green and good for your health.
“The bikes are really great to look at and very user-friendly with no chains to worry about. And for businesspeople using them to get to and from meetings, there’s a handy basket on the front too.
“There is so much to see and do in Liverpool from our wonderful waterfront to our museums and galleries, and you can get to all these places by citybike. Whether you’re a commuter, tourist or out for the day with the family, enjoy our art, culture and atmosphere by citybike.”
Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson said: “This is a huge milestone in the city’s cycle hire ambition and I’m delighted the scheme is now underway and ready for people to make the most of.
“The citybike scheme means people can get around quickly and easily using a green mode of transport which also results in a healthier lifestyle for those who cycle around the city.
“We hope to see a strong take-up for the scheme and have made it as easy as possible for people to register online and then hop on a bike at locations across Liverpool.
“This is a new and exciting era for transport in the city and one which I hope will be a huge success.”
Joining citybike costs from just £3 for a day membership which includes two hours credit or £9 weekly which includes four hours credit. Extra time for longer trips can be topped up at £1 per hour. The best deal for regular users is to buy an annual membership for just £60 and enjoy half hour of every journey free – that’s just over £1 per week to cover all your local trips around the city. Getting started is easy – register at www.citybikeliverpool.co.uk, choose a top-up if you think you’ll need your citybike for more than the included time in your chosen member option; enter your code on the key pad, and get there by #citybike
The scheme is managed by Hourbike, which has similar projects in Southport and Nottingham, and is commissioned by Liverpool City Council using £1.5 million from Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF), allocated by the Department for Transport (DfT).
Follow @citybikelpl on Twitter and on Facebook to keep up to date with the latest news and offers and see videos from the launch.
