Beryl has launched a new pedal bike in Belfast that sets industry-leading standards for connectivity, management, and security. Frank and Honest Belfast Bikes is the first scheme to adopt the innovative bike. Its users will benefit from a premium riding experience, remote hub locking, dock or ‘hybrid’ parking compatibility, and advanced safety features.
The new bike is the result of Beryl’s in-house product design and manufacturing capabilities, offering industry-leading technology in a more accessible package for local authorities and transport leads. Bringing the high-quality solutions and functionality from its premium e-bike offering into pedal bikes demonstrates Beryl’s commitment to continuous innovation for the benefit of users and operators alike.
Belfast leads the way as first adopter of new Beryl pedal bike
Pedal bikes continue to be an extremely important public micromobility solution for cities, particularly in Europe. Around 80% of European cities with populations over 100,000 have at least one shared mobility scheme. Many cities continue to subsidise the operation of pedal bikes to provide greater accessibility (cheaper tariffs) with lower operational costs than electrified options. Historically, the issue for many schemes was a lack of technology and digital management for pedal bikes (when compared to electric micromobility platforms). Beryl’s new pedal bike is a significant leap forward, matching the systems and management features available on e-bikes.
Philip Ellis, CEO at Beryl, commented: “With this new pedal bike, we’re elevating the humble pedal bike into a smart, connected vehicle while retaining user simplicity and low operational costs when compared to an e-bike fleet. With advanced geofencing, remotely-operable Hub-lock, rich data insights, and a robust, lightweight design, it is a market-leading solution for both users and operators alike. We are proud to be launching it for the first time with the Frank and Honest Belfast Bikes scheme.”
Data-driven micromobility aligns Beryl’s offering
Beryl’s pedal bike offering now aligns with its thoroughly updated BBE2 e-bike. With significantly improved ‘always-on’ connectivity, the new pedal bike enables operators to monitor bike locations in real time. This enhanced situational awareness facilitates efficient fleet management and faster response to ‘rebalancing’ bike distribution and addressing issues, such as fallen or misplaced bikes. It also assists operators by generating high-fidelity trip data that provides immediate feedback on cycle infrastructure and highlights any gaps in the network.
Increased compliance with geofencing for improved management
Beryl introduced a number of new measures to assist with parking management and compliance, including advanced geofencing. Not only does this ensure compliance with local regulations, but it also prevents bikes from being left in no-parking zones and obstructing pedestrian movement. When designated bays are full, Beryl’s intelligent system enables ‘overflow’ areas to ensure that all bikes are parked appropriately and prevent abandonment in undesignated locations.
New lock, lights, and lightweight design
A common pain point for bike share systems for users and operators is security and the locking mechanism. Beryl’s updated Hub-lock provides a reliable and convenient way to secure bikes with enhanced protection against theft and vandalism. Thanks to remote connectivity, operators can now automatically lock bikes when they come to a standstill or from Beryl’s Control Room.
The new bike also offers an improved laser headlight and brake lights for increased visibility and road safety. Its relatively low weight allows for a smoother and easier ride, which is atypical for the types of bicycles traditionally used in public share programmes.
