A NEW ‘bike hub’ operated by a Merseyside-based non-profit has opened on Liverpool’s waterfront, offering affordable bicycles for hire and purchase, as well as a host of free and low-cost cycling-based activities and skills workshops.
HYPE Urban Bikes city centre hub, located on Sefton Street, was officially opened by Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor, Steve Rotheram. It aims to make cycling accessible to all and get people living in and visiting the region on their bikes to explore the area, improve their health and wellbeing, and promote green, active travel.
HYPE Urban Bikes provides free and low-cost activities including road and cycle safety sessions, group rides and balance bike sessions in, and a host of courses and workshops covering topics such as cycle mechanics, recycling sustainability and leadership.
The hub also sells repair services and accessories and new, recycled and refurbished bikes for sale, with a wide variety available at affordable prices. There are daily bike hire options for families seeking fun days out, such as traffic-free rides along the waterfront to Otterspool Promenade, and longer-term three, six and 12 month hire schemes for as little as £1 per day, for more regular riders or those who cycle their commute. Bikes on offer include mountain bikes, hybrids and step throughs as well children’s sizes.
As a not-for-profit organisation, all monies generated by the bike hub will be invested back into the community, funding events, initiatives and the establishment of future hubs in other boroughs in the city region.
The city centre bike hub has been developed by HYPE Urban Bikes in partnership with Vermont Construction, whose offices neighbour the new bike hub. HYPE Urban Bikes was originally launched in 2017 in Birkenhead, where its first hub is located, with the aim of making cycling cheaper, safer, more accessible, and an easy choice for as many people as possible.
Matthew Houghton from HYPE Urban Bikes, said: “There are so many health, wellbeing and environment benefits to cycling and we believe that everyone – regardless of age, gender, background or financial barriers – should be able to access the sport.
“We also want to encourage people who might never have considered cycling before to give it a try, through our many initiatives, events and the network of businesses and organisations supporting cycling across the city region, who we are already proud to work with.
“HYPE Urban Bikes will create a vibrant, healthy and connected community that will give back to the region and the people in it through cleaner air, reduced social isolation, improved fitness and a reduction in waste, through recycling and refurbishment of bikes.”
For more information, bike hire prices and details of services and course, please visit https://hypeurbanbikes.co.uk/
