Cardiff Council has confirmed plans to launch a new electric cycle hire scheme.
The scheme will be fully funded and operated by a private company, with the council only covering the cost of installing painted parking bays. This means the scheme will come at no cost to the council for day-to-day running.
The new scheme follows the success — and challenges — of the previous Nextbike programme, which saw over 2 million rides between 2018 and 2023. That scheme was eventually suspended due to high levels of vandalism and theft.
This time, all bikes will be electric. E-bikes are more robust, less likely to be vandalised, and require less maintenance, the council said. They will also be equipped with GPS tracking to help recover bikes if they are moved or stolen while not in use.
The bikes will be parked in designated “geo-fenced” areas — virtual zones that ensure bikes can only be left in approved locations. This helps keep pavements clear and makes the scheme easier to manage.
The council said it had spoken to leading cycle hire operators across the UK and Europe, and added that there is strong interest in running a scheme in Cardiff.
Up to 2,500 e-bikes could be rolled out across the city, with the option to add e-scooters in future, if a decision is taken by the council and pending the decision by the Department for Transport (DfT) on the e-scooter trials, and legal changes being made to allow them to be used on public land in Wales.
Neighbouring councils in the Vale of Glamorgan and Newport have also expressed interest in joining the scheme, which could lead to a wider regional network.
Cllr Dan De'Ath, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Strategic Planning and Transport, said:
“We're bringing back a cycle hire scheme that works for Cardiff — one that's safer, smarter, and more secure. This is a great example of how we can deliver better services for residents without extra cost to the Council. We've listened, we've learned, and we're ready to get Cardiff cycling again.”
The scheme is expected to launch in spring 2026.
