Liverpool’s citybike scheme celebrates first anniversary

A number of Liverpool’s citybike members marked one year of the hire scheme with a special ride along the city’s waterfront this week. Citybike is now the most successful UK scheme of its type outside London.

Before the ride, Councillor Malcolm Kennedy, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Transport and Climate Change, told the Liverpool Echo:

“It’s clear that citybike has been a huge success during its first year. I’m absolutely delighted that the bikes have been such a big hit with the public.

“We are really fortunate to have such a fantastic initiative in the city and it’s great to see so many people using the bikes on a daily basis, whether they’re cycling to work or just taking a leisurely ride through the city’s parks. I’m sure the bikes will continue to grow in popularity over the coming years.”

Rental costs £3 a day, £9 for a week or £60 for a year with special membership rates available for students and businesses. In the first year, citybikes have covered more than 313,800 miles having been hired 55,650 times.

In December, Chris Boardman opened the 100^th hire station and there are now over 140 dotted around the city with the one outside John Lewis in Liverpool ONE proving the most popular. The scheme also won the ‘best shared mobility provider’ category at the Smarter Travel Awards earlier in the year.