Beryl Bikes have finally arrived in St Austell and town councillors have been out and about testing their pedal power. 

Jordan Rowse (Bethel and Holmbush), Anne Double (Gover and town centre), James Mustoe (Mevagissey and St Austell Bay) and Richard Pears (Poltair and Mount Charles) took to their electric steeds in Bethel and Boscoppa on Saturday. 

“The bikes are great fun,” said Cllr Rowse. “I spoke to a few people while testing and every conversation was positive. I’ll be a regular user once I’ve got a helmet – it’s not a legal requirement but many riders chose to wear one, and I would advise it. So many people already using the bikes, so please do have a go if you get the chance.” 

Bikes positioned at 16 locations around the town, including key town centre parking bays, St Austell Leisure Centre, Trevine Crescent in the west, the Eden Project north of the town and Charlestown to the south. 

The bikes cost £1 to unlock, then 15p per minute. “It’s reasonable and affordable – we wanted everyone in the town to have the opportunity to use one,” said Cllr Rowse. 

“The vast majority of journeys are between five and 10 minutes in St Austell, so this is a fun and green way of travelling around the town.”

Users must pay to be able to unlock a bike, and can cycle wherever they like, but must drop the bike off at an approved location to avoid incurring a fine. 

Beryl has a local depot where bikes are charged and mended as required. 

Abandoned bikes should be reported to Beryl direct at [email protected]; the bikes will be collected and the last user will be fined.