Decision

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

1. 1)           noted the performance of the Beryl bike scheme in first 3 years of operation.
2. 2)           authorised a trial of Lime Bikes and/or another provider in Borehamwood and Potters Bar.
3. 3)           delegated authority to Assistant Director Legal & Democratic Services & Monitoring Officer to negotiate and finalized Memorandum of Understanding with Lime Bikes and/or another provider.
4. 4)           agreed to extend the Beryl bikes contract in line with paragraph 5.16 to allow the scheme in Bushey to continue. 

Reasons for decision

The Beryl bike contract expired in October 2026 so action was needed in order to continue a cycle hire scheme in Hertsmere. Clear benefits were associated with the provision of a cycle hire scheme including climate change and health and wellbeing positives.

Alternative Options Considered

The contract with Beryl bikes expired in October 2026 and there would be no public cycle hire provision in Hertsmere if the Council did not decide to provide an alternative option.

The Hertsmere Vision and Corporate Plan (2026 – 28) had identified implementation of the Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (2025 – 2030) as a key deliverable. It identified the expansion of the public cycle hire scheme across the Borough by April 2028 as a measure of success. Alternatively, The Council could have sought to use different providers than those set out in this report, or a mixture of providers.