Beryl Bike hire scheme coming to Borehamwood this year

The Beryl Bikes could be installed in areas of the town and adjoining areas from May with the bikes available to hire at the tap of a phone screen.

Beryl Bikes already operates in Watford and other English towns and cities and Hertsmere Borough Council hopes people in Borehamwood will be encouraged to take up cycling.

The decision to award an initial four year contact to Beryl was agreed by the council at a meeting in February.

Councillor Seamus Quilty, who has environmental responsibilities, said: "I am delighted that my fellow councillors agreed to move forward with a cycle hire scheme in Borehamwood, which will help us to achieve our ambitious plans for a more sustainable Hertsmere.

"The new cycle hire scheme allows users to make quick, easy trips across the town and surrounding area – perfect for work, leisure or running errands. Opening up this scheme to all will help to support our local town centre economy, as well as our efforts to improve air quality, health and wellbeing."

Funding for the scheme has been secured via funding from developers to pay for infrastructure.

Sky Studios, which is set to open its new filming complex in Borehamwood this year, is to pay at least £155,000 while Elstree & Borehamwood Town Council could contribute up to £60,000.

A further £20,000 could come from the borough council's community infrastructure levy pot.

A Beryl Bike bay outside Watford Junction train station

Around 100,000 journeys were completed on Beryl Bikes in Watford in 2021 with the scheme introduced in the town the year before.

More than 70 bays are dotted right across the town, including electric bikes, with riders able to unlock a bike via the Beryl Bike app.

There are different bundles on how to pay for the rides - in Watford, Beryl says its best method for a single ride costs £1 to unlock the bike and then 5p for every minute the bike is in use.