A version of Boris's Bikes could soon hit Newark after Brompton Bike Hire pitched idea to Newark and Sherwood District Council
Newark’s version of Boris’s Bikes could soon be pedalling into town.
The idea was suggested during public consultation in the preparation of the Towns Fund bid to government for up to £25m to be spent on the rejuvenation of Newark.
Under the scheme, the public could hire fold-up bikes for a day, week, month or year, at a cost equivalent to public transport.
Lockers and docking points would be strategically placed around Newark for the safe collection, deposit or storage of the cycles.
The chief executive of Brompton Bike Hire Will Butler-Adams pitched his company’s involvement to Newark and Sherwood District Council, who are coordinating the bid, and the chairman of the Towns Fund committee Tom Cartledge, chief executive of Benoy.
Council leader David Lloyd joined Tom and Newark MP Robert Jenrick in meeting Mr Butler-Adams in Newark Market Place.
Mr Cartledge said there were four main elements to the Towns Fund bid — a town centre resurgence, connectivity, wider educational choice, and retail.
He said the bikes would help ease congestion and reduce the carbon footprint.
Brompton Bike Hire schemes are seen in cities, including London and Birmingham, but Newark could set an example for how it would work in towns of a similar size to further promote cycling as an affordable recreational activity and a green method of transport.
Mr Lloyd said the data showed a willingness for people to embrace a cleaner, greener approach to transportation and that the fold-up bikes could make it easier for people to travel to and from work, or from outlying housing estates into the town centre. In turn, reducing congestion on the roads while helping people to get healthier and tackling obesity.
“I just think it could be a really exciting scheme, provided that we can find a means of making it work for the benefit of everyone,” said Mr Lloyd.
Mr Jenrick said: “Boris Bikes in Newark. These are foldable bikes, which means they can be taken on trains, into shops and are really cost effective — as little as £3.50 hire a day. That’s a price lots of people can afford and is the equivalent of catching a bus.
“Newark used to be a cycling town but is much less so today.
“The town is bedevilled by traffic, we could all perhaps do with being a bit slimmer, myself included, and to form a partnership with Brompton Bikes, one of the best manufacturers in the UK, sends a very positive message.
“I look forward to there being a bike strategy in the plan submitted for the town.”