Cycle hire on the agenda

3.10.45pm GMT Tue 17th Mar 2009

A cycle hire scheme for Norwich has moved a step closer after the City Council Executive agreed to investigate ways to fund it. The scheme would mean people could hire bikes from locations across the city.

Councillor Judith Lubbock, who requested the Executive investigation, commented "I am extremely pleased that this Executive is considering this funding alongside the possibility of funding a car hire scheme. While we already have a high number of cyclists in the city, this hire scheme would encourage more people to take it up and enable visitors to cycle. Cycling is good for your health, it is inexpensive, and helps the environment."

The Executive agreed to investigate the use of Section 106 money, from development, to finance the scheme. This comes after months of Lib Dem campaigning.

"Last year we organized a demonstration from OY Bikes, an easy to use cycle hire system using cycle stands and mobile phone technology. I was very impressed with their comfortable bikes and am committed to seeing a hire scheme in Norwich." said Cllr Lubbock.

In the summer of 1997 Paris launched Vélib, or 'freedom bike', a cycle hire scheme that in the first three months recorded over 100,000 daily users who travelled approximately 300,000 km which translates to a 32,330 tCO2 reduction of emissions annually. Other successful schemes have been implemented in Amsterdam and Copenhagen and in the UK.