Birthday bash for Brighton and Hove's bike sharing scheme

Brighton and Hove's bike sharing scheme will celebrate one year on Saturday (September 1), with 53,591 cyclists making 347,234 trips across the city so far.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Aug 2018, 16:20 BST
Updated 3rd Sep 2018, 12:16 BST
BTN BikeShare (Photograph: Brighton Pictures)BTN BikeShare (Photograph: Brighton Pictures)
BTN BikeShare (Photograph: Brighton Pictures)

The first anniversary of the scheme will be celebrated next Thursday, with a free breakfast and networking event, hosted by Love to Ride for the launch of Cycle September from 8am to 10am at The Meeting Place Café on Brighton seafront.

The BTN Bikeshare scheme has 450 bikes at 54 docking stations, but its success will see the arrival of 120 new bikes later this year.

Related stories: Expansion for city’s bike sharing scheme

Top bike share user Martin WoodTop bike share user Martin Wood
Top bike share user Martin Wood

City’s shared bike scheme is growing

Bike share docking stations pop up around Brighton and Hove

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One BTN BikeShare user, Martin Wood, said: “I get to explore places I’ve not been before, despite living here for 16 years! I’ve used the scheme since day one – I love that it promotes sustainable transport by encouraging more people to cycle.”

Another Brighton bike share enthusiast, Marilena Karantinini, said: “It’s so easy. I no longer have to worry about my bike being stolen or breaking down. And it’s social – my wife and I love going on bike rides together.”

Marilena Karantinini, one of BTN Bikeshare's top usersMarilena Karantinini, one of BTN Bikeshare's top users
Marilena Karantinini, one of BTN Bikeshare's top users

Tim Caswell, owner of Hourbike, the company operating the scheme, said: “Community is at the heart of the bike share scheme and we’re delighted that it has been fully embraced by the people of Brighton and Hove.

“It’s been brilliant watching locals and visitors support the bikes, choosing to cycle as a healthy and sustainable way to get around the city. We’re excited for the scheme to grow and look forward to celebrating many more birthdays!”

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The bikes are fast becoming a part of city life, and have been used at several events, from Brighton Pride and Paddle Round the Pier to Brighton Housing Trust’s Around the World Cycle Challenge and Cancer Research’s Race for Life.

They were also used by the Brighton2Brussels Charity Cycle Ride participants to complete a ‘Mile in the Sky’ on the i360.

BTN Bikeshare at Pride (Photograph: Brighton Pictures)BTN Bikeshare at Pride (Photograph: Brighton Pictures)
BTN Bikeshare at Pride (Photograph: Brighton Pictures)

Based on user figures, the scheme is believed to be one of the country’s best-performing bike share schemes outside of London.

Cllr Gill Mitchell, chair of the council’s environment, transport and sustainability committee, said: “It’s great to see the popularity of the bike share scheme which means it can expand to benefit more people in more places.”

The bikes cost 3p per minute, with a £1 minimum fee per rental, or £72 for the year.

To find out more about the scheme, visit: www.btnbikeshare.com

Related topics:BrightonHoveCommunity