Nextbike, Bath’s public cycle hire scheme supported by Bath & North East Somerset Council, has been going from strength to strength since its introduction in 2014.
Now, it has achieved a significant distinction by becoming one of the few financially self-sufficient schemes in operation.
With over 100 bikes available and an ever expanding network of hire stations, rentals have been hitting more than 1,000 per month and Nextbikes have become a regular sight around the City.
Cycle hire schemes are typically subsidised by local councils to ensure that they remain an affordable and viable travel alternative to reduce congestion in major cities.
In Bath, the introduction of the Nextbike has been supported by the Council through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund, but the growth in use of the scheme means that this is no longer necessary.
Cllr Anthony Clarke (Conservative, Lansdown), Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “Managing congestion in the centre of our City requires people to have a viable choice of alternatives.
“Ensuring that Bath has an effective and convenient cycle hire option, through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund which has helped to deliver and promote Nextbike, has been an integral part of the Council’s transport strategy.
“We are delighted that the strategy can deliver and that Nextbike will go forward as a self-sustaining enterprise.”
Nextbike operates 15,000 bikes across Europe. It was introduced in Bath in June 2014. In its first month, there were 524 rentals. In the same period in 2015 there were 1,080 rentals.
Robert Grisdale, Managing Director of Nextbike UK said: “The Council’s support has been invaluable in helping to establish a practical and popular public hire scheme within Bath.
“Being able to take the next step to a fully independent service is a hugely significant event and proves that a well thought out cycle scheme can work for everyone.”
The network of cycle hire stations has been expanded this year with new sites at Moorland Road, Newbridge park & ride and Bath Spa University.
There are now a total of 11 Nextbike hire stations within Bath.
Registration for Nextbike can be done via phone, mobile app or internet (www.nextbike.co.uk/en/bath/), with hire charges from £1 for 30 minutes.
