CYCLISTS clocked up enough miles to go twice around the world during Birmingham 2022.
West Midlands Cycle Hire offered cycle hire during the Commonwealth Games saw thousands of riders covering 49,000 miles over 12,000 hours in just 12 days.
Anyone who signed up to the cycle hire app was offered two, free 30-minute rides per day during Birmingham 2022, covering both the regular pedal cycles and the eBikes.
The offer was part of Transport for West Midlands’ (TfWM) wide-ranging plan to keep the region moving during the Games.
There were 28,191 journeys recorded during the Games with many using docking stations near to venues including at University Station, Alexander Stadium, Edgbaston Stadium, Sandwell Aquatics Centre and Smithfield.
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.”
The cycle hire scheme was launched in 2021 by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), to encourage more people to become active and healthy and offer a convenient and more environmentally friendly alternative to the car for shorter journeys.
There are 1,500 bikes, including 150 eBikes, available for hire across eight town and city centre locations, the normal cost of unlocking a pedal bike is £1 with a 5p per minute charge after that.
The bikes can be hired using the Beryl app and are also available via the Swift App. For more information visit: https://www.wmcyclehire.co.uk/
As well as having the bikes made by Stratford-upon-Avon-based Pashley, the contract between Serco and TfWM means the docking stations and locks are also manufactured here in the West Midlands.
