Cardiff Set To Have New Bike Hire Scheme

The Welsh Capital is set have a new bike hire scheme in spring next year, as the Council continues in its pledge to make alternative forms of transport an attractive and viable option. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Recent data shows that cycling in the city is on the increase and the City of Cardiff Council is committed to putting the infrastructure in place to help this to continue. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

An invitation to tender for the scheme in Cardiff has been advertised across the European Union and looks to secure a provider to supply the bikes, docking stations and terminals as well as maintain and operate the scheme. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The invitation also includes a call for sponsor(s) who will have the full naming rights for the scheme and its branding in exchange for its investment. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Ramesh Patel, Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability, said: “From our initial market testing exercise, it is clear that there are a number of providers that are able to deliver this scheme. Cardiff hosts many prestigious events which attract worldwide attention, and next year isn’t any different. Whether it is the 6 Nations rugby fixtures, the ICC cricket fixtures, the autumn rugby internationals or the ultimate event secured next year– the Champions League Final. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“This is an excellent sponsorship opportunity as the bikes, docking stations and terminals will be highly visible across the city and surrounding area. The success of similar schemes in other cities in the UK is clear to see and we hope that residents and visitors to Cardiff will use and enjoy the scheme when it comes into operation. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The new scheme intends to be far larger that the initial pilot scheme back in 2011, with 500 self-service bikes located across the authority area. These will be based at a number of easily accessed sites including hire stations at district centres, universities and other strategic locations close to existing public transport facilities.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Subject to a successful procurement the award of contract will be for an initial term of five years, with an option to extend for a further two years. The plan is to have the scheme fully commissioned and in operation by April 2017. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The new scheme will be financed through the sponsorship income and at no cost to the taxpayer. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​