Beryl Bikes has now hit the milestone of 100,000 rides in Watford, and is offering discounted rides as celebration.

Earlier in March, the Watford Observer reported that the bike share operator has seen increasing demand for the service in Watford, whereas bays had to scale back in other parts of the UK due to low demand over lockdown.

Beryl says that since launching in Watford last year, there have been 100,000 rides in the borough, which is 10,000 more than the journeys recorded in March.

Notably, these figures were recorded over what has mainly been a lockdown, or a form of Covid restrictions.

Six new bays have been introduced in Watford – placed at Beechwood Rise, St Albans Road/Judge Street, Balmoral Road, Beechen Grove North, Lower High Street and Harwoods Recreation Ground.

With 70 bays across the Watford area, 85 per cent of residents are now within a five-minute walk from a Beryl bike

Beryl CEO Phillip Ellis said: ‘’As we cautiously emerge from lockdown and the weather begins to improve, we only expect ridership to increase. Our bikes and e-bikes are having a real impact on improving the environment in Watford, whilst giving people an additional mode of transport that is healthy, sustainable, and ultimately enjoyable.’’

‘’We want to say a huge thank you to everyone in Watford, and we very much look forward to the next 100,000 rides and beyond!’’

Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor said: “One of my key manifesto priorities when I was elected was to introduce more sustainable transport options to Watford that would help make our air cleaner and reduce congestion. Just over a year ago we introduced our bike-share scheme in partnership with Beryl and I am delighted that the scheme has achieved such outstanding figures. It’s great to see how residents have welcomed the bikes as an alternative transport option for travelling around Watford.

“With restrictions easing and the weather hopefully improving, I am sure the timing of the rider discount will encourage even more people to try out the bikes.”

How do I get a discount this Bank Holiday?

Now Beryl Bikes is offering 10 per cent off all journeys this Bank Holiday until Monday (May 31).

Riders can access the discount by using the code: WATFORD100K - Redeemable once per user between May 28 and May 31.