We operators can do so much more than generate trips

Beryl bikes operate the shared e-bike scheme here in Plymouth aiming to provide alternative sustainable travel options to locals and visitors of Plymouth.

Plymouth and social prescription

In Plymouth, Beryl uses the social prescription approach to connect people to activities, groups, and services in their community. In practice, this means that we offer people free 400 Minute Bundles to use our e-bikes across the city. The offer is for those provided with social prescribing by health professionals, who refer patients for support within their community.

The bundles are distributed by Plymouth City Council in partnership with The Wolseley Trust, a community economic development trust that works with a wide range of partners to deliver health and wellbeing initiatives.

In the first year, they have been prescribed to and redeemed by 112 different people for whom free cycling has been deemed beneficial to their mental and/or physical health. On average, the bundles have been used 22 times per user, generating nearly 500 hours of physical activity.

Beryl’s Strategic Partnerships Lead, Ben Lee, oversees the scheme and knows how valuable it can be to communities.

He said:

Bikespace and Beryl – forging strong community ties

Beryl subcontracts the on-street management of its Plymouth scheme to Bikespace, meaning they are responsible for the logistics and maintenance of the 510 e-bike fleet.

Bikespace is a Plymouth-based not-for-profit social enterprise that aims to develop and boost communities through a shared love of bikes. They support young people in education with vocational training, teaching them how to refurbish bicycles for the community and enabling them to gain valuable experience for further education and employment.​

Their community impact is considerable and, in the past year, they have:

• Recycled and sold 182 bikes
• Had 51 participants in Cycling UK accredited maintenance courses
• Had 111 open workshop attendees
• Supported 12 young people in gaining an AQA award in Bicycle Mechanics
• Enabled 29 adults to gain trail riding experience
• Provided free bike servicing and maintenance to the community at 12 community Dr Bike events

Director, Robbie Kelly, said that the Beryl contract has had a significant impact, helping them to expand and create ten extra jobs. Director, Robbie Kelly, said that the Beryl contract has had a significant impact, helping them to expand and create ten extra jobs.

Building on the foundations

By adopting a community-focused approach to delivery, we’ve seen that it’s possible to run a well-used scheme that can have a wider positive impact.

Bikespace is also looking to the future, with plans to provide even more work experience, up-skilling and employment opportunities over the coming months. Robbie added: “Within our Bikespace workshop we will be continuing to work with vulnerable youths three days a week as our core activity. We hope to find a suitable engaged student to fill a vacant apprenticeship role and will also be continuing to run our flagship adult engagement programme “trail therapy”. This scheme tackles loneliness and isolation through riding bikes and learning new skills.”