Edinburgh’s cycle hire scheme will be absolutely free to use for a whole week as part of a move to get people pedalling in the capital.
From Sunday 5 May to Saturday 11 May, free Just Eat Cycles passes can be downloaded on the scheme’s app allowing users unlimited one hour journeys on the new bikes.
The offer has been planned to coincide with the May Day Bank Holiday weekend and the city’s first Open Streets event on Sunday 5 May which will see a number city centre roads closed to vehicles for an afternoon.
500 bikes are strategically positioned around the city’s network which is made up of 80 hire points, with yet more set to come over the summer. An annual pass for the scheme is normally £90, and a day pass costs £3.
Inspired by other European cities, Edinburgh will adopt the Open Streets initiative by closing a number of city centre streets on the first Sunday of each month for residents to enjoy walking, cycling and local attractions in a relaxed and car-free environment.
Edinburgh Streets which will be vehicle-free on Sunday 5 May include the Royal Mile, Victoria Street, Grassmarket and Cockburn Street. The event will run from 12pm until 5.00pm.
George Lowder, Chief Executive of Transport for Edinburgh, said: “TfE is delighted to announce that everyone will have the chance to use the Edinburgh Cycle Hire scheme bikes for free for an entire week. Simply download the app to enjoy a week of free, healthy, environmentally friendly journeys. It is our hope that more people realise how cycling in Edinburgh can be both a convenient way to travel and a way to explore the capital.”
Charles Graham, General Manager of Just Eat Cycles, said: “We want to encourage more people to get out there and try the scheme, especially as the weather continues to improve. The first day of our offer sees a number of city centre streets closed to car traffic, making this a perfect opportunity to try out city cycling. We encourage everyone to test out the scheme during the free week and explore new parts of the city on two wheels.”
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Lesley Macinnes, said: “It’s fantastic that Just Eat hire bikes will be free to use for a week from this Sunday, when we will hold our first Open Streets event in the Capital. This initiative puts people at the heart of the city, creating a calmer, cleaner environment for people to explore the city on foot or by bike, and making it easier than ever to try out cycling.”
To get a free week long free pass, download the free app, Just Eat Cycles. The offer begins from 00:01 on Sunday 5 May, and ends at 23:59 on Saturday 11 May.
Operated by Serco, Just Eat Cycles launched in September 2018 and has since been used over 36,000 times, with 22,000 of those trips being made already in 2019. Just Eat Cycles recorded its busiest day to date over the Easter weekend on Saturday 20 April when nearly 600 trips were made by 395 cyclists.
Just Eat Cycles has recently added a host of virtual hire points in the west of the city including outside Edinburgh Zoo and on the Cramond foreshore.
More information about the offer can be here: https://edinburghcyclehire.com/buy/free-week
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