Stevenage E-Bike scheme expands with new safety measures

Following a temporary pause earlier this year due to vandalism, the scheme reopened in June with new measures that have led to a noticeable reduction in incidents and a steady growth in ridership.

Later this month, the fleet will grow to 100 bikes. To support the larger fleet, the service area will also be expanded, giving more residents access to the scheme. Starting immediately, four new bays will be opening up at Lister Hospital, Old Town, Grace Way, and North Herts College.

Cllr Loraine Rossati, Cabinet Member for Economy, Skills and Transport, comments: "The Beryl Bike scheme has proven to be incredibly popular since its introduction almost a year ago. We were all angry and disappointed that the actions of a selfish few spoilt this for all of us and led to the scheme being paused. I’m delighted that its reintroduction has gone so well, with the new anti-vandalism measures deterring criminal activity. This success allows Beryl to increase the number of bikes and bays in operation, serving more residents.

“All we ask is that Stevenage people help us to look after this community asset so that everyone is able to use and enjoy the bikes."

The new measures include a more robust fleet of bikes designed to withstand potential damage and an increased on-street presence with more frequent patrols and faster response times to reported incidents. This has been effective in addressing issues quickly and discouraging further vandalism and will continue as the scheme continues to be reinstated across a wider area.

Beryl and the council are working collaboratively with Hertfordshire Police to monitor and tackle vandalism and damage to the bikes. If you witness criminal damage or the theft of a Beryl bike, please report it to police.

The Stevenage e-bike scheme is committed to providing a reliable and sustainable transport option for the community. The planned expansion reflects the program's long-term commitment to improving local mobility.

Reporting Incidents:

If you come across a vandalised vehicle or are aware of anti-social behaviour affecting the scheme, please report it to the police. You can call 101 or report directly to the police online via the Herts Police website.

You can also report un-returned bikes in confidence to Beryl in the App chat or by contacting The Beryl Support Team .

For criminal incidents, including theft and vandalism, people can report quickly and discreetly to Hertfordshire Constabulary by calling 101. For emergencies, please dial 999.