The launch of Liverpool’s Cycle Hire scheme is drawing ever closer – now people are being invited to hop on a range of bikes from all over Europe and help pick the best for the city.
Liverpool’s Cycle Hire Demonstration Week takes place from Tuesday 9th July – Wednesday 17th July, bringing five leading suppliers to the city to showcase their systems. Each will set up their unique cycle hire stations and bikes in the city centre, giving everyone the chance to take the bikes for a spin and see which they like best.
Ever wondered how they do it in Italy? You can try out the ‘Bicincitta’. Think the German approach might be the best fit for Liverpool? Hop onto the ‘Nextbike’.
Arriva Deutsche Bahn’s cycle hire system will bring a pan-European flavour to proceedings, while there will be UK suppliers on-hand in the shape of Hourbike and Grand Scheme.
Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, Councillor Tim Moore, said: “We think our cycle hire scheme has the potential to massively boost sustainable transport in Liverpool and we want everyone to benefit from it – from commuters and tourists to shoppers and students.
“We are already talking to people through our survey, but these demonstration events will give people the chance to actually try out the bikes and give their opinions on which they like best.
“The feedback will help shape how we deliver this important scheme. So come along, have a go, and let us know what you think.”
People who want to try out the bikes can pop along to one of the stations, between 9.30am and 4.30pm on Mount Pleasant or in St Paul’s Square, register, pick up a route map and get cycling. When they return the bike to the station, they will be asked to fill out a form, giving their feedback.
The suppliers offer a range of different bike styles and systems, from ‘Cleverboxes’ built into the bikes themselves, which allow people to make hire payment using their mobile phone; to dedicated consoles within the stations, enabling people to pay by credit card.
Everyone who completes forms from at least three different suppliers will be entered into a prize draw on 30 July, led by Olympic cycling Chris Boardman, when one lucky person will win £100 of shopping vouchers.
The Cycle Hire Demonstrations will also play a key role in the city’s Environmental Awareness and Green Travel Day on Friday 12th July. Delivered by CBRE’s Liverpool Environmental Team, the event will see all five suppliers based, together, in St Pauls Square, to offer bike trials and answer questions.
Liverpool’s Cycle Hire Scheme is due to launch later this year, offering people a cheaper, healthier and more environmentally friendly way of getting around the city.
The Cycle Hire Demonstration Day forms part of the wider consultation over the plans. A survey has also been launched by City Central BID and Liverpool Commercial District BID on behalf of the city council. It aims to gauge the views of businesses and members of the public on the scheme and is available to view at http://tinyurl.com/LpoolBikeHire
The survey – which runs until 31 July and which has already received hundreds of responses – will help to inform and shape the proposals for the scheme. People can express their views on where the stations should be, what types of trips they would use the bikes for and how much they think scheme membership should cost.
Ged Gibbons, Chief Operating Officer for City Central BID, which represents more than 630 businesses in Liverpool city centre, said: ”More than 500 people have so far taken part in the cycle survey, which is a great response and shows the interest there in this scheme. We’ve also had a huge response from businesses and I’m sure once the bikes hit the road the appetite to get on board will continue to grow.”
Details for the demonstrations, which take place daily, between 9.30am and 4.30pm, are as follows:
Tuesday 8th – Thursday 10th July
• Bicincitta, DB Arriva and Hourbike will be at Mount Pleasant – junction with Hope Street.
Wednesday 9th – Thursday 10th July
• Nextbike will be at St Paul’s Square – off Old Hall Street.
Friday 12th July
• All five suppliers will be at St Paul’s Square – off Old Hall Street.
Monday 15th- Wednesday 17th July
• Grand Scheme and Hourbike will be at Mount Pleasant – junction with Hope Street.
About the Liverpool City Cycle Hire Scheme
• The Liverpool City Cycle Hire Scheme will see 1,000 cycles being made available for hire at 60 stations, primarily in the city centre. It will give a range of people – from commuters and shoppers, to tourists and students – the opportunity to hop on a bike to travel through the heart of the city.
• It will be the biggest scheme in the UK, outside London – running 24-hour-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week.
• The city council is currently in discussions with a number of companies and expects an operator to be in place later this year.
• The scheme is being funded using £1.5m cash boost from the Local Sustainable Transport Fund. Following the initial investment, the council hopes the scheme will become financially sustainable after three years.
• It aims to respond to increase in people living in, working in and visiting Liverpool city centre
