Beryl electric assisted bikes were launched in Dorchester, Portland and Weymouth on 20 August 2024. In the first month riders collectively covered an impressive 27,000 kilometres!
Dorchester Transport Action Group monthly meeting in September were pleased to welcome Charlotte Sullivan from Dorset Council who updated us on the launch and progress of the Beryl Bike scheme.
She said the scheme has got off to a great start with 2.4 rides per bike per day and 95% parking compliance. 11,000 kilometres were travelled in the first 14 days and this has now more than doubled during the first month.
She showed us a visual ‘heatmap’ of where the bikes have travelled. The brighter the colour the more kilometres clocked up. You can see there has been a lot of usage in Dorchester town and travel from Dorchester to Weymouth.
At the start of the scheme there were 88 bikes in 21 bays. Charlotte explained that this will rise to 120 bikes in 30 bays. In Dorchester there are bays by the old library, the new library, on Weymouth Avenue just before Tesco’s and by the hospital. Another bay is planned for Poundbury.
Despite some reports, there has been very little misuse of the bikes. However, Beryl encourages people to report any instances of misuse, or bikes left outside designated bays. If you spot anything out of the ordinary, please contact Beryl via their website.
Stewart Palmer thanked Charlotte for her update and congratulated Dorset Council on the successful introduction of this valuable scheme.
Dorchester Transport Action Group meet monthly by Zoom and there is usually a guest speaker at each meeting. Anyone is welcome to attend and if you just want to stay for the speaker and then leave, then that’s absolutely fine. Meetings are usually the second Tuesday of each month at 10am. You will find details each month, and the zoom link, on our calendar.