Do residents think Bridport could use an e-bike scheme?

Recently 120 electric bikes have been introduced to Weymouth, Dorchester and Portland as part of a Beryl Bike scheme.

The basic premise is that these bikes are placed in 30 bays spread out across the Dorset towns, with a phone app used to unlock, lock and pay for their use.

Beryl Bikes were recently launched in Weymouth (Image: Dorset Council)

We asked people in Bridport if they thought the scheme could work in the town.

Martin Simmons often cycles from West Bay to Bridport for the market.

He said: "I can imagine tourists using them to get to West Bay. However, so many local people already ride bikes, and in Bridport, you can just walk everywhere."

Anne Haynes is another who cycles from West Bay to Bridport.

She is a fan of this style of scheme having used them whilst out of town in London, but says the route to and from West Bay is not very intuitive for visitors.

She said: "I think the bikes are brilliant, everywhere I have seen them they have worked well, but it would be for tourists.

"Bridport is so small, you don't need the bikes to get around."

Martin Simmons and Anne Haynes with their bikes (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

Penny Hughes says she would welcome the scheme as it would help reduce traffic.

She said: "I like the idea. Please bring it here because we have so much traffic. If they could just rent bikes instead, it would be so nicer.

"Bridport is a very self-sufficient town and I think it would make things a little more."

Devon Beach recently purchased his own bike to get around town.

He thinks cycling should be encouraged, but doesn't think Bridport is suited to an e-bike scheme.

He said: "You do get a lot of cyclists down here, but there isn't a need for it. If people want a bike they can just buy a cheap one, like I have.

"They can also get messy, if we put one (a bay) in Buckydoo Square, all you will get are complaints."

Devon adds that Weymouth is larger, and has a demographic more likely to use the service.

Devon Beach with his new bike (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

The Beryl Bikes in Weymouth were introduced on Tuesday, August 20.

On a full charge most will be able to easily manage a 30-mile trip, the machines are limited to a top speed of 25 kilometres per hour, although they will go faster if freewheeling downhill.