Readybike Cycle Hire Scheme - early engagement

Reading's cycle hire scheme, ReadyBike, was launched in June 2014 as part of the Local Sustainable Transport Fund programme. The scheme is made up of 200 bicycles, across 28 docking stations and 334 docking points located at key destinations, including Reading Station, University of Reading, Royal Berkshire Hospital and Thames Valley Business Park.

ReadyBike was launched to help achieve the target of encouraging an additional 2300 daily cycle trips and reducing congestion by approximately 10%. Feedback from users has highlighted the numerous benefits of the scheme, including breaking down barriers to cycling particularly where storage is an issue or to overcome perceived barriers to bicycle security.

The existing cycle hire scheme has facilitated almost 71,000 trips over approximately 315,000 miles to key employment, education, retail and leisure sites as well as major transport interchanges at Reading Station and Earley Station. The number of annual subscribers continues to grow steadily with trips by these users exceeding daily subscribers during colder months.

Reading Borough Council is seeking proposals from contractors that are able to continue delivering ReadyBike, under license from 1st September 2017 for a minimum term of 3 years and thereafter transferring to a rolling agreement with six months' notice by either party.

The successful Contractor will be expected to work alongside the existing Contractor, Hourbike, during the mobilisation period, for up to one calendar month to ensure smooth transition between service providers.

The Contractor will be expected to submit a proposal for the continued operation and maintenance of the scheme utilising existing cycle hire infrastructure owned by the Council, including bicycles, docking stations/points and information terminals. Proposals will need to demonstrate a clear commitment to further developing the scheme to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the service without any financial support from the Council, including but not limited to securing sponsorship and advertising agreements.

Proposals including the relocation or reduction of the number of docking stations will be considered where there is clear evidence demonstrating that the changes will help ensure the scheme is self-financing throughout the duration of the contract and in the future.

Additional information: Is a Recurrent Procurement Type? : No