Commuters in Cardiff can now rent foldable bikes from Brompton Bike Hire, which has opened three docking stations in the city.
The three docks are located at Cardiff Central Station, Cathays Station and Whitchurch Station.
The bikes are available for hire through the Brompton Bike Hire app for £5 per day (including insurance) and can be kept for 24 hours, a week, or longer.
Students can also subscribe to the service for a fixed fee of £30 per month or for an academic year at a rolling fee of £45 per month.
Last week, Julian Scriven, managing director of Brompton Bike Hire, said: “The benefits of cycling are clear to see and we’re so pleased to bring Brompton Bike Hire to the thriving city of Cardiff, where residents, visitors and students can experience the benefits of riding our bikes as an alternative and affordable way of getting around.
“Not only is cycling great for wellbeing, it also reduces carbon emissions and supports Cardiff’s aims in decreasing traffic congestion and reducing pollution levels.”
A Brompton spokesperson said the company was “delighted” to be helping Cardiff Council and the Welsh Government with their aim of reducing air pollution.
Brompton Bike Hire was founded in 2011 and now has over 70 docks throughout the United Kingdom, including one in Carmarthen and another in Burry Port.
Brompton will compete with Cardiff’s Ovo bikes, which are run by Nextbike. After being taken for two months owing to damage and theft, the Ovo bikes were returned to the city in January 2022.
Cabinet Member for climate change, Councillor Caro Wild, said air quality was a “massive concern.”
With the addition of additional cycle lanes, Cardiff is becoming a more bike-friendly city.
Cllr Wild added: “[The WHO] have brought the limit right down to 10 [micrograms per cubic metre] I think. We have always said there is no safe limit, but I don’t think there is any town or city in the whole of the UK that wouldn’t have figures above 10 in most of their areas. We have got areas of the city where it’s getting close to 40, never mind the 10, so a real focus on getting those down, but also recognising that there’s no safe limit.
“That is affecting all of our citizens’ health every day. When you look at all of the moves to active travel, the work we’re doing on public transport, the targets have to do with air quality.”
