The Cardiff bike scheme will run for another year through WAG funding under the sustainable travel city project.
The bikes are located in 17 locations across the city centre and bay area, including new sites at UWIC’s Llandaff campus and at Halls of Residence on Llantrisant Road and at Evelian Court, Gabalfa.
Users can either pay an annual £18 registration fee or apply for a daily registration fee of £5. The first 30 minutes of any hire is free, with rental fees applied following that. Bikes can also be hired for a flat rate of £5 for a 24 hour period. Bikes can be picked up and dropped off at any of the hire points with no need to return them to their original spot.
Regular users of the scheme find it a convenient way to travel around the city, with many people using the bike to commute to work. Tourists have also found the scheme popular, hiring bikes on the 24 hour basis to visit Cardiff’s parks and attractions or to explore the Taff and Bay Trails.
Bernie Hanning, Managing Director OY Bike said: “We are really pleased with the many positive responses we have received from OY Bike users in Cardiff and are keen to make this scheme a trail blazer for sustainable travel in Wales and the UK. Regular users are continuing to benefit from the convenient cycling opportunity which OY bike offers and enjoy a faster and more enjoyable mode of transport”.
Councillor Delme Bowen, Executive member for Traffic and Transportation, said: “Cardiff Council is delighted to extend the pilot scheme for another year and is happy to support the growth of the OY Bike service in the city. Encouraging people to try cycling for commuting or leisure is not only important because of the obvious health benefits this brings, it also helps to reduce traffic congestion and pollution in Cardiff. We hope the scheme will become a permanent feature.”
