Electric bike hire programme to launch next spring

Cardiff Council has confirmed plans to launch a new electric cycle hire programme next spring.

It will be fully funded and operated by a private company, with the council covering only the cost of installing painted parking bays.

The new scheme follows the city's ill-fated Nextbike pedal-cycle hire programme, which saw over 2 million rides between 2018 and 2023, but which was eventually suspended due to high levels of vandalism and theft. Some 3,000 bikes were stolen or vandalised in the city.

An electric bike scheme in operation

This time, all the bikes will be electric. E-bikes are said to be more robust, less likely to be vandalised, and require less maintenance. They will also be equipped with GPS tracking to help recover them if they are moved or stolen while not in use and will be speed-limited.

The bikes will be parked in designated 'geo-fenced' areas — virtual zones that ensure bikes can only be left in approved locations. This helps keep pavements clear and makes the scheme easier to manage.

Up to 2,500 e-bikes could be rolled out across the city, some for use in the city centre, and others spread across Cardiff. This suggests it is likely Rhiwbina and other local areas may have parking areas for the programme.

The council says it has spoken to leading cycle hire operators across the UK and Europe, and there is strong interest in running a scheme in Cardiff.

There is also the potential for e-scooters in future, but this would depend on a decision by the Department for Transport (DfT) on e-scooter trials, and legal changes to allow their use on public land in Wales.

Neighbouring councils in the Vale of Glamorgan and Newport have also expressed interest, which could lead to a wider regional network.

Cardiff Council cabinet member Dan De'Ath, said: "We're bringing back a cycle hire scheme that works for Cardiff — one that's safer, smarter, and more secure."