Five years after launching their shared micromobility scheme in the Greater Norwich area, Norfolk County Council have taken delivery of 50 new BBE2 e-bikes, Beryl’s innovative electric bike, which the company launched at the end of last year.
Norfolk’s scheme began on Tuesday 17th March 2020, with bikes and e-bikes, while e-scooters joined the scheme six months later.
The acquisition of the new bikes reflects the success of the scheme which saw a 20% increase in journeys between 2023 and 2024. Since it began, a total of 1,850,000 journeys have been made, covering over five million kilometers.
Beryl describe the new BBE2 as ‘the culmination of a well-established feedback loop between riders and Local Authorities, in-house mechanics, and the Beryl design team.’
The bike has internal drum brakes to provide safe braking and comes with broad-rimmed 23-inch wheels and puncture-resistant tyres to provide better grip and a reliable ride.
A 2-speed gear, hub provides automatic gear shifting, enabling riders of any ability to always be in the right gear. This is particularly important when moving away from traffic lights on busy roads.
It is also equipped with the company’s proprietary Laserlight, a powerful front light with laser projection technology and the ‘Burner Brake’, a red rear brake with braking detection.
The BBE2 has a rear wheel electronic hub lock to prevent theft, comes with a swappable 36V battery which provides a 80 km range and a Near Field Communication (NFC) unlocking pad with an integrated phone holder.
To unlock one of the BBE2s, the rider simply scans the QR code below the handlebars and ends the ride by tapping ‘end ride’ in the app.
Councillor Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport said; “It’s great to see these brand new bikes which I’m sure will be a popular addition to the already incredibly well used fleet across the Greater Norwich area. The Beryl scheme has grown year on year here and we continue to get more users every month.’
Beryl CEO and co-founder, Phil Ellis, added: ‘I think the numbers speak for themselves and, after half a decade in Norwich, we can say we’ve had a huge impact in breaking down the barriers to active travel for many people.
‘The introduction of our BBE2 e-bikes is a perfect example of this, as we have ensured every element of the model is equipped for a wide range of riders.
‘We can’t wait to see them out on the road and, with the warmer weather and longer days on the horizon, I would urge people to give them a go and experience their quality for themselves.’