Brighton's 'Boris bikes' to be unveiled at homeless charity cycling event

The Brighton and Hove shared bike scheme was set to launch in the city this summer, but is now set to go ahead in September.

It will see 450 'social bikes' (SoBi) at 50 docking hubs around the city for residents and visitors to hire on a pay-as-you-go basis through a smartphone app.

The new rental bike will be on show and available to ride at the Brighton Housing Trust's (BHT) Around the World Cycle challenge at Preston Park Velodrome on Sunday, June 25.

A limited number of ten-minute bike rides are up for grabs in aid of the homeless charity's First Base Day Centre.

The Cycle Around the World challenge will see cyclists aim to collectively cycle 66,792 laps of the historic track – equivalent to the distance around the globe. All laps completed on the Brighton share bike will go towards the final mile count and people can donate whatever they can for the ride.

Gill Mitchell, lead member for environment and sustainability at Brighton and Hove City Council, said: “We’re looking forward to the new cycle scheme launching across the city before the end of summer and are delighted to see it already supporting a local charity and helping to improve our community.”

Tim Caswell, managing director of Hourbike which is set to run the scheme, said: “As the operators of the new bike sharing scheme for Brighton and Hove, we’re looking forward to being a part of such an important fundraising event for the community. We are looking forward to supporting Brighton Housing Trust and raising much-needed cash for its First Base Day Centre during this phenomenal cycling event.”

Simon Hughes, manager at BHT’s First Base, added: “Every single person who takes part in the Around the World Cycle challenge will be helping us to make a real difference to the lives of people who need our services. It was with the support of the community that last year we were able to help 306 people to move off the streets.”

The Around the World Cycle Challenge aims to raise £25,000 to enable First Base Day Centre to continue helping homeless people move off the streets.

To be one of the first to ride a Brighton & Hove cycle share bike, visit: www.bht.org.ukDonations can be made through Brighton Housing Trust’s Just Giving page.

Around the World Cycle takes place at the Preston Park Velodrome, Brighton, on Sunday, June 25, from 9am to 7pm.