Putting people on bikes for World Car-Free Day

To mark World Car-Free Day – today – Beryl, one of the UK’s leading micromobility companies, are teaming up with councils to incentivise peolpe to get on a bike. 

World Car-Free Day is championed in the UK by transport charity Living Streets, which suggests ways you can help support this year’s campaign, and transform your street into a place for seating, cycle parking or cycle lanes, gardens, play areas or art areas.

Beryl CEO and co-founder Phil Ellis said: ‘World Car-Free Day is a great opportunity to re-imagine our streets and focus them around people and a healthier environment.

The offers, which have been launched in partnership with local authorities, are designed to encourage people to get involved in the far-reaching initiative and develop more sustainable transport habits. 

In Norwich, from today until Sunday, free, 30 minute rides will be available for all the Beryl bikes, e-bikes and scooters in the area.

In Plymouth  riders will enjoy two free rides of one hours each during the course of today. These must be separate journeys.

In Watford there will be free rides today, capped at 30 minutes on an e-bike and one hour on a pedal bike

In all other areas when Beryl operate (except Leeds) there will be 20% off minute bundles/passes during today.

Beryl’s current average modal shift from private vehicles (based on the total kilometres replaced) is 34.68%. This means that over one third of the total journeys that their schemes generate have replaced those undertaken in a car, taxi, van or motorbike, either as a driver or a passenger.

Their research also shows that:

• If you switch from a car to an e-bike, you decrease your emissions by 55.73%
• If you switch from a car to an e-scooter, you decrease your emissions by 74.57%
• If you switch from a car to a bicycle, you decrease your emissions by 83.73%

Phil Ellis said: ‘There is some alarming scientific evidence around the detrimental impact of car usage, both in terms of people’s physical health and the environment.

‘Our bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters are not just a great way to help decarbonise urban transport systems, they’re also a proven way for people to get fitter and more active. 

‘They can also save users a fair bit of money compared to private vehicle ownership, removing the costs associated with fuel, tax, MOT, insurance, parking, storage and maintenance.’