Local residents are voicing their concerns about the recent closure of Beryl bike services, highlighting its impact on transportation options.
Bournemouth: Beryl started its bike services in the east Dorset area back in August 2022, expanding its reach in the BCP Council area.
Abigail Sylvester, a master’s student at Bournemouth University, has been a regular user of Beryl Bikes while living in Winton. She relied on them to get to her job in the town center.
She finds Beryl Bikes to be both reliable and affordable, especially for a student budget. “My job was far from Winton, so I’d bike into work, and they had Beryl stations nearby, which was super convenient,” she shared.
Abigail also mentioned that biking was cheaper and quicker than taking public transport. She expressed her disappointment over the service’s removal, noting that many people don’t own cars or can’t afford bus fares.
“If they start taking them away, it’s going to hurt those who rely on them,” she added.
Shannon Taylor, who lives in Boscombe, has been using Beryl Bikes for a couple of years. As a pharmacy care coordinator, she appreciates how the bikes have cut down her travel expenses and time during busy hours.
“I find them really useful. I don’t drive, and public transport can be pricey,” she explained. Shannon believes there’s still hope for the Beryl Bike scheme in Bournemouth, especially with two major universities in town.
“I think they can make it work. The only challenge might be wear and tear or misuse,” she noted.
Pavan Gaddapara, who used Beryl Bikes for two years before getting his own, also shared his thoughts. He found them helpful for getting around when buses weren’t available.
Now, he doesn’t use the bikes as much and is unsure if the demand is still there.
