Cardiff Council has unveiled exciting plans to launch a new electric cycle hire scheme, promising residents and visitors a cleaner, safer, and more reliable way to navigate the city. This initiative will be fully funded and operated by a private company, with the Council’s only expense being the installation of painted parking bays, ensuring no day-to-day running costs fall on the local authority.
This new scheme builds on the lessons learned from the previous Nextbike programme, which saw over 2 million rides between 2018 and 2023. While popular, that scheme faced significant challenges due to high levels of vandalism and theft, ultimately leading to its suspension and withdrawal.
Addressing these past issues, the new fleet will exclusively feature electric bikes. E-bikes are proving to be more robust, less susceptible to vandalism, and require less maintenance. Crucially, they will also be equipped with GPS tracking, significantly improving the chances of recovery if bikes are moved or stolen when not in use. Bikes will be parked in designated “geo-fenced” areas, ensuring clear pavements and efficient management.
The Council has engaged with leading cycle hire operators across the UK and Europe, noting strong interest in running the Cardiff scheme. Up to 2,500 e-bikes could be rolled out across the city, with a forward-looking option to incorporate e-scooters in the future. This would be dependent on a Council decision and pending the Department for Transport (DfT)’s e-scooter trials and necessary legal changes to permit their use on public land in Wales.
Neighbouring councils in the Vale of Glamorgan and Newport have also expressed interest, hinting at the potential for a broader regional network. Cllr Dan De’Ath, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Strategic Planning and Transport, commented, “We’ve listened, we’ve learned and we’re ready to get Cardiff cycling again.” The scheme is anticipated to launch in Spring 2026.
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