Popular cycle hire scheme expanded to Croxley Green
A popular cycle scheme, which has been very successful in Watford, has been expanded to Croxley Green, giving residents greater accessibility to travel sustainably.
After some delay, bike share operator Beryl, in agreement with Three Rivers District Council and Watford Borough Council, has added new bays and 15 new e-bikes in Croxley Green as part of the expansion of the scheme.
Residents can pick up 15 turquoise e-bikes from new bays in Croxley Green. The expansion, funded by the district council through its Community Infrastructure Levy, will enable sustainable transport for thousands more people and boost sustainable access to employment, educational, retail and leisure opportunities.
The e-bikes can be used across Three Rivers; but will need to be returned once used in Croxley Green, Bushey or Watford. Users will still be charged by the minute when they dismount if the e-bike is not returned.
The Beryl Annual Rider Report 2023 showed that, in Watford, 97% of people who had signed up to use Beryl services cited convenience as an important factor for doing so.
Beryl CEO and co-founder, Phil Ellis, said: “We know from talking to our riders that flexibility and convenience are major factors when deciding whether to opt for sustainable transport.
“By collaborating with partners and expanding the scheme beyond its existing boundaries, we break down the barriers to active travel for thousands more people and create a wealth of new opportunities to get cycling.
“By doing this we can help encourage people out of their cars and have a positive impact on people’s mental and physical health, while also reducing traffic congestion and the amount of harmful carbon emissions.”
Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Leader of Three Rivers District Council, said: “After pushing for this for more than four years, I am extremely happy to see this become a reality in Three Rivers.
“The council has always been and remains committed to sustainable travel in order to reduce the number of private vehicles used for short journeys and cut air pollution.
“Since this launched in Watford, over half a million sustainable journeys across more than 1,340,000km have been covered. We will monitor the scheme until 2026, and, if proven popular, I hope that we can expand this across the district so residents outside Croxley Green can have easy access to a Beryl Bike.”
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: “Since we launched our Beryl Bike scheme in 2020 it has been a big success. I am delighted that we are now expanding it into new areas, which will benefit all of us. Working with neighbouring councils, more people will be able to use these bikes. Users of the bikes improve their own health and at the same time help to cut congestion and air pollution in our area. I can’t wait to see the bikes being used by even more people in the years ahead.”
To start using a Beryl Bike, download the mobile app here.
PHOTO CAPTION 1: Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Leader of Three Rivers District Council, Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, Cllr Ian Stotesbury, Portfolio Holder for Transport and Sustainability, and Ash Trowe from Beryl Bikes riding on Beryl Bikes in Baldwins Lane, Croxley Green.
PHOTO CAPTION 2: Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, Cllr Ian Stotesbury, and Ash Trowe getting ready to set off from one of the bays in Croxley Green.
PHOTO CAPTION 3: Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst gives his thumbs up of approval of the Beryl Bike Scheme.
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