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DWF deliver on Greater Manchester's new cycle hire scheme

01 November 2021

DWF advises TfGM on its procurement of a cycle hire scheme for Greater Manchester.

Transport for Greater Manchester ("TfGM") is the local government body responsible for delivering transport strategy and commitments across Greater Manchester and supports more than 5.6 million transport journeys across the regional network each day.

DWF's multi-disciplinary public sector team advised TfGM on its procurement of the Bee Network Cycle Hire scheme which was led by Sean Caldwell and Bradley Martin with support from Colin Murray, Adelani Ayoola and JP Buckley.

The scheme will deliver an initial fleet of 1,200 pedal bikes and 300 e-bikes, with a closed trial of 30 Bee Network Bikes - docked near the University of Salford – starting on November 3.

Another 250 bikes will be added to the fleet around the University of Salford, Media City and along Oxford Road from November 18 for the general public to use.

By June 2022, total bike numbers will be ramping up to 1200 pedal bikes and 300 e-bikes, and more than 200 docking stations across the zone. The first cohort of docking stations will be installed from October.

The ambitious network will be one of the largest docked systems outside London and will give hundreds of thousands of people an affordable, convenient and quick way to get around.

The scheme is part of Greater Manchester's plan to provide a fully-integrated public transport system - the Bee Network– and become carbon neutral by 2038.

Beryl, a London-based micromobility company specialising in cycle hire schemes, has been appointed to operate the scheme and design and install the bikes and docking stations.  

Commenting on the procurement, Adam Hulme, Interim Legal Manager at TfGM, said: 
“The delivery of this ambitious cycle hire scheme is vital to the success of our transport network, as it will provide tens of thousands of people in Greater Manchester with an affordable, convenient, non-polluting transport option.

“Major schemes such as this require excellent partnership working to deliver on time and to a high standard. DWF’s commercial expertise and advice has enabled us to make informed decisions to tight timescales during the procurement process, making them a valuable member of the team.”


Sean Caldwell added: “It has been a privilege to work with Adam and the TfGM operations team to deliver this scheme. It has been a long and complex process requiring a multidisciplinary approach, and it is one of those rare moments when we are excited to see the outcome of the deal, the rollout on Greater Manchester's streets."

The procurement of the cycle hire scheme is one of a number of similar procurements which DWF's public sector team have already advised upon including West Midlands Combined Authority's recent cycle scheme procurement with an initial 1,500 electronic and pedal bikes for roll out across the West Midlands region. 

If you are a public body currently considering how a bike share scheme might be procured in your region, please contact a member of our national public sector team to discuss how we might assist you with your procurement.

Further Reading