Greater Manchester cycle hire scheme reaches milestone as riders clock up 100,000km using pedal power

The Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has hailed the milestone and urged more residents to consider getting out and about on two wheels.
Cyclists using the Greater Manchester bike hire scheme have ridden 100,000km. Photo: TfGMCyclists using the Greater Manchester bike hire scheme have ridden 100,000km. Photo: TfGM
Cyclists using the Greater Manchester bike hire scheme have ridden 100,000km. Photo: TfGM

Greater Manchester’s cycle hire scheme has reached a notable milestone after racking up 100,000km ridden in the space of six months.

The scheme launched to the public in November 2021 and more than 10,000 users have made over 39,000 journeys on two wheels on the bicycles for rent.

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Currently the bikes can only be hired in Manchester and Salford but transport bosses are planning to roll it out further across the city-region.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has hailed the milestone and encouraged more residents to gain more confidence on two wheels and cycle more this spring.

What is the milestone the cycle hire scheme has achieved?

Riders on the bikes which are available for hire under the scheme have now clocked up a total of 100,000km in journeys since its public launch last year.

This is equivalent to pedalling a quarter of the way to the Moon or around the world two and a half times.

Greater Manchester’s cycle hire scheme has racked up 100,000km. Photo: TfGMGreater Manchester’s cycle hire scheme has racked up 100,000km. Photo: TfGM
Greater Manchester’s cycle hire scheme has racked up 100,000km. Photo: TfGM
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Transport for Greater Manchester (TFGM) says that since the scheme launched in November 2021 there have been over 39,000 journeys made on the bikes by more than 10,400 individual users.

How does the cycle hire scheme work?

Bikes are currently available to hire from stations along the Oxford Road corridor in Manchester city centre, at the University of Salford and at MediaCityUK.

This summer the scheme will expand further into Trafford.

TfGM hopes to have 200 stations, 1,200 pedal bikes and 300 e-bikes available for people to rent across the three boroughs of the city-region.

Thousands of people have been hiring the bikes and the scheme will expand further this year. Photo: TfGMThousands of people have been hiring the bikes and the scheme will expand further this year. Photo: TfGM
Thousands of people have been hiring the bikes and the scheme will expand further this year. Photo: TfGM

Bikes are available using the Beryl app and can be hired on a pay-as-you-ride basis.

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It costs 50p to unlock and 5p per minute to ride a pedal bike, with e-bikes setting the cyclist back £1 to unlock and 10p per minute to ride.

What has been said about it?

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has hailed the 100,000km milestone.

He also encouraged people to sign up online for TfGM’s cycling courses to develop their confidence on two wheels and consider active travel options for city centre journeys.

Mr Burnham said: “We wanted to create a cycle hire scheme in GM so that more people had access to an affordable, accessible and sustainable form of transport.

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“It’s great to see how the scheme has been received by the people of GM so far. Seeing the number of people riding around Oxford Road, the University of Salford and MediaCity on our iconic yellow bikes has been brilliant – and I’m really looking forward to more bikes becoming available in the future.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham with a Bee Network bike and bus. Photo: TfGMGreater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham with a Bee Network bike and bus. Photo: TfGM
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham with a Bee Network bike and bus. Photo: TfGM

“I would encourage anyone who wants to try cycling, but perhaps lacks a bit of confidence on two wheels, to give the cycling courses that TfGM offers a go.

“They will help you get back into the saddle with more confidence, learn a thing or two about fixing your bike and enable you to get out as a family. Embracing active travel into your daily lives is great for your health, your wellbeing and could even save some money – especially if you are able to leave the car at home for local journeys now and again.”

City-region bosses are also hoping that better weather throughout spring and summer will encourage residents to cycle and walk more.