Will dockless bike hire alter short journey travel habits?

Earlier this year the UK’s first dockless bike hire scheme was launched in Manchester and Salford. Since then other schemes have started and, despite some concerns over theft and vandalism, a rising number of councils are wondering if dockless bike hire offers a cost effective way of achieving modal shift.

Patrick McDonnell

13 October 2017

Chinese app-based system Mobike is now available in Manchester and Salford

Delegates at Healthy Streets try out the Urbo bike, which will be launched in Waltham Forest in late October

Ealing`s Cycle Centre co-ordinator Ian Perkins at the launch of Mobike in Acton

Ofo bikes are now available in Oxford city centre

The dockless bike hire market has taken off in the UK over the past year, with trials being launched in Greater Manchester, Oxford and the London boroughs of Ealing and Lambeth, with another scheme due to start in Waltham Forest later this month. And it is now looking very likely that other trials will be launched in other city and town centres next year.

In most cases it appears that the operational costs will be fully covered by the operators, making the schemes an attractive proposition for...