Edinburgh puts Brakes on Local Bike Scheme

After three years, it’s time to wave goodbye to Edinburgh’s Just Eat cycle hire scheme – a scheme that saw a total of almost 1.8m kilometres over 234,500 bike rides and won two Scottish Transport Awards.

Bike parked on the side of the road. Source: David Herron on Unsplash

Aimed to create an environmentally friendly transport option to get around the city, the scheme not only aligned with Edinburgh’s pledge to become net-zero by 2030, but it also, according to Sergo, saved over 162.5 tonnes of CO2 during its operation. Not only this, but the scheme has been embraced by the residents, who make up the vast majority of bike rides taken.

So, why after becoming such a success, has the scheme ceased, and what does this mean for Edinburgh, especially at a time when the environment is at the forefront of people’s minds?

Designed to be self-financing, with sponsorship funds coming from Just Eat and the bike hire charges covering the costs, the scheme became a financial burden for the operator, Sergo. The level of thefts and vandalism, which resulted in around a quarter of the scheme’s 550-strong fleet being repaired each week, became too much, and resulted in higher-than-expected costs. Whilst Sergo was willing to work with Edinburgh City Council and explore alternative funding models, it was unable to agree with the council’s terms, causing the scheme to end in September 2021.

Local councillor Adam McVey said: “We are disappointed that Serco is walking away from the Just Eat cycle hire scheme. It has become a huge part of the sustainable infrastructure in Edinburgh, and the withdrawal will come as a shock to many users who used the bikes to get from A to B.

“The council appreciates that the scheme has helped more people access bikes and reap the benefits of affordable, healthier journeys around town. It has been great to see so many people across the city cycling, so it’s sad to see the scheme go.

“The end of the scheme is sending out a negative message, especially with COP26 just around the corner, and at a time when so many are concerned about climate change and what we need to do to combat the effects of our actions.”

Combating climate change does not just lie with regional and national governments, local councils need to be contributing. Promoting cycling as a zero-carbon transport option and offering schemes such as this can deliver huge carbon savings, along with other benefits, at a low cost. If enough people switch to cycling, these benefits become more tangible and more likely to make a difference, however, with the termination of the scheme, Edinburgh will be taking a step back in its plans to deliver a healthier city with a higher quality of life for all residents. 

It is clear from the success of the scheme that the appetite for accessing bikes and using them as alternative modes of transport is there, and the council is looking to engage with the cycling community to look at ways to get people back on bikes. 

McVey said: “Edinburgh council recognises that the bike hire scheme has been a huge success and is actively pursuing options to ensure that an alternative scheme is in place as soon as possible.”