Cyclists in Glasgow are set to benefit from city council plans to more than double its mass automated cycle hire (MACH) scheme.
MACH is in line to grow from 435 bikes based at 43 stations to 900 bikes and 100 stations after recording impressive user numbers since the scheme launched just before the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
MACH has racked up 206,109 rentals and 14,080 registrations, and this year saw the highest ever number of rentals, 769, on 1 June – surpassing the previous record during the Commonwealth Games.
As a result the city council plans to tender for a new and extended seven-year contract to allow the scheme to continue from summer next year when its current three year contract with NextBike expires, although there is the option of a 12-month extension.
Bailie Elaine McDougall, Glasgow City Council’s executive member for transport, environment and sustainability, said: ‘It’s clear there is a real appetite for the cycle hire scheme in Glasgow. We want to see the scheme continue to grow, bringing more bikes and stations to the city for people to use.
'This is yet further progress, in addition to the millions of pounds we’re investing on cycle routes across the city, in realising our ambition to make Glasgow one of the UK’s most cycling friendly cities.’
