Launched on the 22nd July, NE1 Ltd in partnership with ScratchBikes, brought Newcastle's iconic Quayside to a standstill with a mass procession of bikes across the Millennium Bridge.
The Paris-style, cycle rental scheme will allow people to pick up and drop off bikes at new hire stations across the city.
NE1 has teamed up with ScratchBikes to extend its existing bike rental system to include a newly upgraded fleet of 150 bikes located across the city centre.
The system works by users paying a nominal, one pence (1p) registration fee and then a small two hourly charge to use one of the specially, NE1 branded bicycles. The bikes can be collected or returned to any one of the 15 bike hire stations located at key points across the city including transport hubs like the Central Station, Monument and the Haymarket, the RVI and University and College campuses. A further 7 hire points will be situated in outlying suburbs to encourage city centre workers, students and members of the public to cycle into the city.
Sean Bullick, chief executive of NE1 Ltd said: "The cycle hire scheme is another of NE1's initiatives to encourage people into the city this summer and to enjoy all that's on offer. Getting around on a bike is the best way to see and explore Newcastle. Cycle schemes run in many European Cities and launching a scheme in Newcastle demonstrates the city's credentials as a modern, cosmopolitan, European city."
Rob Grisdale, ScratchBikes CEO explained; "Newcastle is a compact city, so cycling is a brilliant way of getting around and an excellent way to get fit and healthy as well as seeing more of the city. Cycling from the Quayside up Dean Street to the Monument is a great work out even for the most ardent cyclist - rest assured, the rest of the city is pretty flat so not such a testing journey."
NE1 will be monitoring the success of new patentable locking and tracking technology currently being developed by ScratchBikes as part of the investment from NE1, with the plan to offer this new technology to other major cities and organisations both within the UK and internationally early next year.
City Centre businesses and workers will be entitled to discounts on bike rental - by signing up and registering with the scheme. Anyone interested in getting on a bike should email ScratchBikes at info@scratchbikes.co.uk or visit www.scratchbikes.co.uk for further information.