During the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, there was an offer of free cycle hire, which was a massive success seeing bikes travel 49,000 miles in 12 days. Which is just short of travelling around the world twice.
Those who signed up to the cycle hire app were offered two free 30 minute rides per day during the games, which was part of Transport for West Midlands plan to keep people moving while the high volume of people passed through Birmingham.
Many took the opportunity on either regular pedal bikes or e-bikes to travel to venues amounting to 28,191 journeys with over 4,000 new users.
Transport for West Midlands launched the cycle hire scheme back in 2021 as part of the West Midlands Combined Authority to get more people being active and encourage environmentally friendly options.
There are numerous cycle stations around the area, with many located at railway stations, such as University, Jewellery Quarter and Four Oaks.
The scheme rapidly grew in popularity over the course of the games due to the offer with normal costs of pedal bikes being £1 to unlock and having a 5p per minute charge meaning that an hour ride would cost £4.
Bikes can be hired using the Beryl app or the Swift app with more information found at: https://www.wmcyclehire.co.uk/
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “I'm enormously proud of how the region's transport infrastructure ensured everyone could keep moving during the Games especially when you consider that Birmingham city centre alone experienced more than five million visits.
“Easy access to public transport and free Cycle Hire were key elements of our Games offer and I'm delighted that so many people took to two wheels and experienced the benefits of cycling.”
Adam Tranter, the West Midlands cycling and walking commissioner, added: “During the Commonwealth Games we saw the scheme double its usage within the first week. Since then, it's continued its upward rise in popularity, ending with nearly 30,000 rides completed covering just under 50,000 miles in 12 days.
“It's heartening to see such a shift to sustainable transport modes like public and active transport; it demonstrates the pent-up demand for active travel which we can unleash as we build new dedicated infrastructure in the region.
“The Games reminds us of the importance of providing convenient options for people to leave their cars at home. I strongly believe we can lock in some of these benefits witnessed during the Games; an appropriate legacy will be that everyone can benefit from a cleaner and greener future transport system.”
Cllr Liz Clements, Cabinet Member for Transport at Birmingham City Council, added: “These statistics show the huge demand for cycling and it would be great to see people who've enjoyed using WM Cycle Hire during the Games make a permanent change to cycling.
“At the city council, we're forging ahead in the provision of safe cycling infrastructure. Cycling and walking are the answer to the three big challenges of congestion, air quality and carbon emissions in our city.”
