After six successful years, Swansea’s much-loved bike hire scheme is getting a new name and a major upgrade to improve its service for users across the city.
Swansea University Cycles will launch on Monday, August 12. Working together with nextbike UK, with invaluable assistance from Swansea Council, the University is supporting the relaunch of the hugely popular bike hire scheme, which has facilitated more than 150,000 active and sustainable journeys since its launch back in 2018.
The updated fleet of bikes, which have been a hit with students, the community and tourists alike, will be an upgrade on the previous model, with new and improved locking systems and GPS tracking, and the docking stations are also getting a makeover, with the introduction of a new locking system to make the hire and return process even easier.
The latest bikes will inject new life into the scheme, ensuring increasing levels of usage and ongoing profitability.
Hubs will be located as before at:
- Singleton Campus
- Bay Campus
- Fabian Way Park & Ride
- Knab Rock, Mumbles
- Oystermouth, Mumbles.
The hubs previously located at Swansea Civic Centre and Swansea Waterfront Museum will be replaced, with two new convenient sites to be announced shortly.
To prepare for the launch the number of available bikes is being gradually reduced until the end of the month when there will be a down period as the new cycles and docking stations are installed.
From August 12th bikes can be hired as before by using the Next Bike app.
BikeAbility Wales, the charity which provides local cycle training and accessible and specialist cycle hire, will continue to support the scheme’s overall bike and docking station maintenance.
Swansea University Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Boyle said: “The upgraded Swansea University Cycles scheme reflects the commitment of both our University and our region to sustainable and active travel solutions. We are grateful for the support of our partners in delivering this important local initiative.
“As a regular user of the previous scheme, I am confident that it will continue to offer our students, staff and community members a sustainable and healthy means of exploring our beautiful city, region and beyond.”
University Sustainable Travel Officer Jayne Cornelius added: “After six fantastic years of Santander Cycles and more than 150,000 bike rentals, I am really pleased that we are continuing to offer a bike hire scheme to our staff, students and the local community under the new banner of Swansea University Cycles. I am delighted to receive the ongoing support from our partners to provide affordable active travel here in Swansea.”
