April 20, 2015 4.35 pm This story is over 115 months old

New membership fee for Lincoln hirebike scheme

Yours for a year: A Lincoln hirebike annual membership fee will be introduced from next month.

On their bikes (L-R): City of Lincoln Mayor Patrick Vaughan, Access LN6 Project Manager Chantelle Grundy, County Councillor Richard Davies, Hourbike MD Tim Caswell and Matt Corrigan from Lincoln BIG. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The tariff for Lincoln’s bike hire scheme – hirebike – will change next month as the project expands and more stations are added.

From May 1, an annual membership fee of £20 will be introduced. Under this tariff, the first 30 minutes of every rental is free. It is then £1 per hour or part thereof, and capped at £4 per rental.

The Pay As You Go option for occasional users will remain the same. Under this tariff, there is no membership fee and bikes cost £2 per hour or part thereof, and are capped at £5 per rental.

Existing members who are currently enjoying the free joining fee will be asked to pay the £20 subscription.

However, in recognition for their continued loyalty, Hourbike will add the equivalent of £20 credit onto their accounts. Further offers are available to current members and can be found on the website.

Tim Caswell, Managing Director of Hourbike Ltd. – the Operator of hirebike, said: “Hirebike offers extremely good value for money in terms of providing a transport option in the city that is also green and healthy.

“By adding a membership fee, this enables the current network to continue to grow; offer a service to locals and tourists alike; and enable hirebike to see a long term future in Lincoln.

“Annual members that travel less than 30 minutes at a time will rarely pay any more than their annual subscription and their initial £5 credit – that’s £25 for as many short journeys as you like in a whole year.”

The hirebike network has grown from 40 bikes and eight stations in 2013 to 100 bikes and 19 docking stations across Lincoln over the next few weeks.

HourBike is also working with North Kesteven District Council to install two additional hirebike stations at North Kesteven Sports Centre and in Hykeham later this year.

The full list of docking stations is:

  • Burton Waters (Woodcocks Pub)
  • Burton Waters (Marina Roundabout)
  • Skellingthorpe Community Centre
  • Brayford Waterfront
  • University of Lincoln
  • St Marks
  • Lincoln train station
  • Birchwood Avenue
  • Carrington Drive
  • The Showroom
  • Moorland Avenue (The Junction)
  • Kingsley Road
  • Tritton Road
  • Bracebridge
  • Hykeham train station
  • Brant Road
  • Newark Road
  • Lakeview Close
  • Hykeham Green (Live date TBC)