Dorset Council - South East Dorset Dockless Bike Share Scheme

• Location: South East Dorset.

• Purpose: Dorset Council was looking at ways that it could reduce congestion and ease local parking pressures whilst providing residents with a cheap, healthy, convenient, and sustainable alternative to driving short distances. The next door district of Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole (BCP) had already introduced a dockless e-bike and traditional pedal bike hire scheme as part of its efforts to improve active travel infrastructure, so Dorset Council decided to work with Beryl Bikes to extend the scheme. 

• Description: The project has 122 dockless e-bikes and pedal bikes across south east Dorset. Residents can access the bike through an app and are charged a small (£1) unlocking fee and then 5p for every minute used. The council created an action plan to ensure that the bikes are accessible to as many residents as possible, do not obstruct the pavements, and riders, pedestrians and drivers are safe. It also introduced minimum age requirements and 43 key parking bays around industrial estates, shopping, and recreation areas. And to discourage pavement clutter and poor behaviour on the bikes, Beryl introduced a £10 fee for riders who park their bikes outside the designated bay or zone areas. The project provides the council with an income as well as supporting the delivery of its air quality and cycling targets. 

• Funding: The project was funded as a part of Dorset Council’s funding from the Transforming Cities Fund.

• Conservative councillor/ council lead: Councillor Ray Bryan, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment.

• Further links: Dorset Council write up and Beryl write up.