By William Turtle-Clark

Hereford's Beryl bike scheme is being expanded as 50 new electric bicycles will be joining the fleet this summer.

Since the Beryl bike service launched in Hereford in 2019, over 650,000 journeys have been taken with users travelling a total of more than 1.7 million kilometres which is equivalent to traveling around the world over 40 times.

This change means the service will now have 200 bicycles in service in the city, with more than 29,000 registered users.

The Chief Executive of Beryl Bikes, Philip Ellis, welcomed the investment in Hereford, admitting that the scheme was initially "completely untested in cities the size of Hereford" when it first launched. However, Mr Ellis praised local riders and partners for making the service a success, stating that user support has given the company full confidence to expand.

Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure, Councillor Philip Price, said the extra e-bikes come at "perfect timing for the summer months," making it easier for people to choose cycling for everyday journeys like commuting, meeting friends, or exploring the city. He added that small infrastructure changes can make a big difference in helping residents travel sustainably while improving their health and wellbeing.