In recent years, UK cities have been faced with major urban mobility challenges: traffic congestion, air pollution and the need to promote more sustainable modes of transport. These issues, exacerbated by ambitious environmental targets such as the commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, are prompting municipalities and citizens alike to rethink their travel habits. In this context, bike-sharing is emerging as an innovative and accessible solution, capable of meeting growing mobility needs while actively participating in the ecological transition.

The adoption of bike-sharing in the UK has grown significantly, particularly in major conurbations such as London, Manchester or Birmingham. Since the introduction of Santander Cycles in 2010, the offer has continued to diversify, with the arrival of new players such as Lime and Beryl, and the integration of geolocation and artificial intelligence technologies.

However, despite its undeniable potential, the development of bike-sharing remains uneven, facing structural challenges and limited adoption in certain rural or peri-urban areas.

This leads us to a central question: How has bike-sharing become an essential part of urban mobility in the UK?

Beyond its growing adoption, bike-sharing in the UK embodies a variety of dynamics that merit in-depth analysis. It will involve an overview of the players and offers, an analysis of the benefits, and a study of the challenges and innovations for its development.

Market players and current situation

The UK bikeshare market has evolved rapidly over the last decade, becoming an essential solution in major conurbations. In 2023, a record number of daily journeys were made by shared bike in the UK. More and more people used e-bikes instead of mechanical bikes for the first time. A report from shared transport charity Collaborative Mobility UK (CoMoUK) shows that bike sharing schemes recorded almost 25 million rentals between September 2022 and September 2023, an average of 67,565 journeys per day. This figure represents a 24% increase on the 54,285 journeys per day recorded in 2022.

The beginnings of bike sharing in the UK

The introduction of Boris Bikes in London in 2010, now known as Santander Cycles, marked the starting point for the democratization of bike sharing in the UK.

Santander Cycles users — Credits: Transport for London

Supported by the City of London, the system began with a fleet of 5,000 bikes at 315 stations strategically positioned around the capital. Accessible at low cost, the scheme has rapidly become an emblematic model of soft mobility in the urban environment. Since its launch, the service has grown significantly, with over 12,000 bikes now available at nearly 800 stations across London. This success has inspired other British cities to adopt similar systems.

Key market players

The UK bike-sharing market is now structured around a combination of public, private and hybrid operators, offering a diversity of models adapted to local needs.

Serco, operator of London's bike-sharing system since 2010, is a key player in the market. Renewing its contract in 2017, Serco manages the distribution, maintenance, operations and improvements of the service. It was also the first in the UK to develop and launch a dedicated customer app as part of its contract extension. Not limited to London, Serco is also the operator of West Midlands Cycle Hire, the largest shared bike scheme in the UK in terms of surface area. This service covers cities such as Birmingham, Coventry, Sandwell, Stourbridge, Solihull, Sutton Coldfield, Walsall, and Wolverhampton, with a fleet of 1,500 bikes and 162 stations.

West Midlands Cycle Hire user — Credits: Serco.com/uk

In recent years, other private operators such as Forest (City, Camden, Islington, and Kensington & Chelsea), Lime ( Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Derby ) and Beryl (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, Brighton and Hove, Cornwall, Leeds, Norwich) have introduced bike-sharing services in various British cities.
Forest is a British company specializing in e-bike sharing, facilitating mobility in urban areas. Accessible via a mobile app, Forest operates in several areas of central London. Users can locate and unlock a nearby electric bike, and park it in designated “green spaces” known as the Forest. This model encourages orderly parking, with charges applied for stops outside these zones or a fine if the bike is parked outside the authorized perimeter.
Lime mainly offers e-bikes without a fixed station, giving users greater flexibility.
Beryl operates hybrid systems with virtual stations, enabling users to complete their journey in designated areas without heavy physical infrastructure. This is the case of the Beryl BTN network in Brighton and Hove, with 120 mechanical bikes, 275 e-bikes and over 100 parking spaces.

In cities such as Manchester and Glasgow, projects supported by municipalities or public-private partnerships have been launched.

Manchester's bike-sharing system has undergone several phases of evolution, marked by the move from Mobike to Bee Network Cycle Hire, a more structured service tailored to local needs.

Mobike, the first shared bike operator introduced in Manchester in 2017, began with a fleet of 1,000 dockless bikes. However, the service soon ran into difficulties with vandalism, theft and abusive use of the bikes. These problems, combined with high maintenance costs, led Mobike to withdraw from Manchester in 2018, highlighting the need for better planning and tighter control.

In response, in November 2022 the city launched Bee Network Cycle Hire, an ambitious program integrated into the Bee network, which aims to promote sustainable mobility throughout the Greater Manchester area. The new system, run by operator Beryl, offers a fleet of 1,500 bikes, including 300 e-bikes, at around 170 stations strategically located in central districts and residential areas. Unlike Mobike, the Bee Network is made up of fixed stations to ensure better control and avoid problems with abandoned bikes.

Bee Network Cycle Hire user — Credit: beryl.cc

The Bee Network's bikes are equipped with modern technology, including integrated lights to enhance cyclists' safety, geolocation systems to monitor their position, and a robust design built to withstand heavy use. In terms of pricing, the service is affordable: users pay 50 pence to unlock a bike, followed by a charge of 5 pence per minute for a classic bike and 12 pence per minute for an electric bike. Regular subscriptions are also available to encourage frequent use.

The program is managed and funded by TfGM, on behalf of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and benefits from commercial sponsorship with Starling Bank.

With the Bee Network, Manchester now has a well-structured shared bike system, incorporating modern technologies and addressing the mistakes of the past.

Glasgow's bike-sharing system, launched in 2014, has expanded significantly over the years. Operated by Nextbike by TIER in partnership with Glasgow City Council, the service currently offers over 1,000 mechanical bikes and 189 e-bikes at 66 stations across the city.

Since its launch, the program has seen impressive growth, reaching 2.5 million journeys in November 2023, with a notable increase in usage over the past two years. By August 2023, average daily rentals for standard and e-bikes were approaching 2,000 journeys per day.

The challenge of infrastructure in rural areas

Bike-sharing is growing steadily in the UK, particularly in major cities where it meets a growing demand for fast, eco-friendly mobility solutions. In London, Transport for London recorded around 1.33 million trips per day in 2024, up 5% from 1.26 million in 2023, while operators such as Lime report a significant increase in the use of their e-bikes, particularly at peak times and weekends, attracting commuters and tourists alike. However, this popularity is uneven, with shared bike journeys concentrated mainly in urban areas where the density of infrastructure and populations facilitates short, frequent trips. London exemplifies this success thanks to its extensive network of stations, municipal support and thriving cycling culture. On the other hand, in less urbanized areas, or in small towns such as those in Scotland and Wales, bike-sharing is struggling to establish itself, hampered by a lack of suitable infrastructure, such as safe cycle paths, and a greater dependence on the car due to longer distances and a lack of suitable infrastructure.

Benefits of bike sharing

Bike sharing in the UK offers a multitude of economic, social and environmental benefits, helping to improve the quality of urban life.

Economical

Shared bike schemes are distinguished by their affordability, making cycling accessible to the vast majority. West Midlands Cycle Hire's pricing policy, for example, is designed to offer flexibility and accessibility to both occasional and regular users. Pay As You Ride journeys start at £1 to unlock a mechanical bike, then 8 pence per minute, while an electric bike costs £1.50 to unlock and 16 pence per minute. For frequent users, 30-day passes are available, such as the Bike Only Pass (100 minutes for £8) and the Flexi Pass (300 minutes for £32), including free unlocking for classic bikes and reduced unlocking for e-bikes. These pricing options aim to encourage active and sustainable mobility in the region, offering a cost-effective alternative to cars and public transport. What's more, these services support local development by generating jobs in bike maintenance, fleet management and customer support. Companies like Beryl, present in several British cities, create employment opportunities while stimulating local businesses thanks to improved accessibility.

West Midlands Cycle Hires users — Credits: wmcyclehire.co.uk

Social

Bike sharing improves accessibility to transport, especially in areas with limited public transport networks. Users can easily cover short distances without relying on fixed bus or train timetables, strengthening urban connectivity. According to a CoMoUK report, 69% of users said they had increased their use of bikes since joining a bike-sharing scheme, demonstrating their growing adoption. What's more, bikeshare encourages an active and healthy lifestyle. Again according to the report, 80% of users believe that using bikeshare has a positive impact on their mental health, while 89% recognize the benefits to their physical fitness.

Environmental

Bike sharing plays a key role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by replacing car journeys. The Collaborative Mobility UK (CoMoUK) reports that sharing schemes have avoided 106,831 tonnes of CO₂ emissions by replacing 245 million miles travelled by car over the course of a year. What's more, the adoption of shared bikes for short journeys is helping to relieve congestion on the roads, improving traffic flow and cutting journey times. This trend is reinforced by the rise of shared e-bikes, which have overtaken conventional bikes in popularity and are making urban travel easier for an even wider public.

Bike-sharing in the UK is emerging as an essential component of sustainable mobility strategies, bringing tangible benefits to individuals and communities while supporting national environmental goals. It does, however, face a number of challenges.

The challenges of bike sharing in the UK

Despite its many benefits, bike sharing in the UK faces structural and operational challenges that limit its adoption and effectiveness. These obstacles mainly concern infrastructure, maintenance and use, as well as the regulatory framework.

Infrastructure: a crucial need for investment

The lack of safe infrastructure is one of the main obstacles to the use of shared bikes. While London has invested in dedicated cycle paths (notably via its Cycle Superhighways program), many other cities lack suitable networks.

The nationally representative Serco Institute survey, carried out in collaboration with independent pollster Survation, sought answers as to why people choose not to use micromobility services. The survey revealed that 42% of people are concerned about safety. Of these 42%, some may feel too inexperienced to use micromobility services on urban roads, while others may have used these services themselves and have first-hand experience of safety issues.

Integration with other means of transport also remains a challenge. Few train stations, for example, have bike-sharing stations in their immediate proximity, complicating multimodal journeys. The Serco Institute report points out that better coordination between modes of transport could increase the uptake of bike sharing as a complementary solution.

Operation and maintenance: major operational challenges

Bikeshare systems are often plagued by problems of maintenance and abandonment. In many cities, bikes are found in inappropriate locations, blocking sidewalks or abandoned in hard-to-reach spaces. A study by CoMoUK found that 23% of users cite poor availability of bikes as a recurring problem, reflecting shortcomings in fleet management. Faced with these challenges, operators are turning to advanced technology solutions such as Qucit Bike.

Vandalism and theft also represent a major obstacle. Lime, one of the UK's leading market players, reports that almost 10% of its bikes have to be removed for repair every month due to deliberate damage. These problems increase operating costs, making profitability harder to achieve.

Réglementation : un cadre encore en construction

The legislative framework surrounding bike sharing remains uneven and fragmented across the UK. Some municipalities, such as London, impose strict rules on parking zones to prevent congestion of public space, while other cities have yet to establish clear regulations. This creates disparities that make it difficult for operators to expand into new areas.

The management of public spaces is also a source of debate. Bike schemes with fixed (“docked”) stations require costly infrastructure, while “dockless” schemes often lead to complaints about bikes abandoned on sidewalks.

These challenges underline the need for a coordinated approach between private operators, local authorities and national government to ensure the sustainable development of bike sharing in the UK. Increased investment in infrastructure, rigorous maintenance and clear regulation will be essential to overcome these obstacles and enable this urban mobility solution to flourish.

Innovations and trends in bike sharing

The UK bike-sharing sector is evolving rapidly, driven by technological advances and innovative business models aimed at improving the efficiency, accessibility and sustainability of the services on offer.

Optimizing fleet management with digital platforms and AI

Shared bike operators are increasingly adopting advanced technological solutions (Qucit Bike) based on artificial intelligence, to optimize the management of their fleets. These systems make it possible to track bike locations in real time, anticipate areas of high demand and redistribute bikes efficiently.

According to Statista, the use of intelligent algorithms has led to a 20% reduction in the logistical costs associated with fleet management in some major cities.

Development of shared e-bikes

According to the CoMoUK report, for the first time, the number of e-bikes available via sharing schemes has surpassed that of conventional pedal bikes, with over 25,000 e-bikes in September 2023.

This is more than double the 12,000 bikes available just one year earlier, and 59% of all bike-sharing rentals are now on e-bikes, compared with 45% previously. A total of 14,548,660 e-bike rentals were reported during the reporting period, a considerable increase on the six million the previous year.

The most frequently cited reason for renting an electric bike or electric cargo bike was to reduce commuting time, with 53% of respondents answering this question. Almost half 46% said they chose an electric bike to avoid fatigue or sweating, while 40% wanted one to be able to climb hills.

Flexible subscriptions and tailored offers

To appeal to a wide range of users, shared bike operators offer flexible subscriptions tailored to different needs. For example, Santander Cycles offers monthly subscriptions enabling unlimited journeys for a fixed cost, while services such as Beryl or Lime offer pay-per-minute options for maximum flexibility. These approaches attract both regular and occasional users.

In the UK, bike-sharing has established itself as an essential pillar of urban mobility, responding to the environmental, economic and social challenges of large conurbations. Its growing popularity, thanks in particular to the rise of e-bikes and the integration of intelligent technologies, makes it an increasingly preferred alternative for city residents.

However, despite its growing adoption and the innovations that accompany it, bike sharing still has to overcome several obstacles to reach its full potential. Lack of safe cycling infrastructure, maintenance challenges and uneven regulation are holding back its expansion, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas. For this mobility solution to become truly accessible to all, a coordinated approach between municipalities, operators and users is essential.

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Bike sharing, a key solution for the future of urban transport in the United Kingdom