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Urbo will become the sole dockless bike sharing firm in Ipswich, following an exclusive deal signed with Suffolk County Council and Ipswich Borough Council.
The deal will initially see 100 of Urbo’s app-operated dockless bikes, which are intended both as a local business resource and a public service, on the roads of Ipswich in March 2018 – increasing to 500 bikes during Summer 2018.
Urbo will play a key role in supporting Suffolk County Council’s Suffolk Cycling Strategy, an initiative which aims to help Suffolk become the most active county in England. The Strategy aims to encourage residents of Ipswich and Suffolk, more widely, to include cycling as part of their everyday lives, establishing it as a normal form of transport for everyone across the county.
The agreement with Ipswich Borough and Suffolk County Councils is Urbo’s third since initially launching in Waltham Forest in September 2017, with further rollouts planned from early 2018.
Urbo co-founder Tom McGovern said: “We are delighted to play a role in supporting the vision for a more mobile local workforce and a healthier community. Integrating effectively with the community is one of our core values, and we have found the perfect partners in Ipswich and Suffolk due to these shared values.
“Trends in integrated urban mobility are always changing and we believe that bike sharing platforms are the first stepping stone towards more deeply integrated urban mobility systems everywhere. We look forward to serving the local community’s transport needs for many years to come.”
Ipswich Borough Cllr Carole Jones, planning portfolio-holder and a keen cyclist added: “I’m really looking forward to Urbo coming to Ipswich in March. These dockless bikes offer residents, business people and students alike a great opportunity to get across town quickly and cheaply – and get fit into the bargain. It could also mean fewer car journeys and start a cycle revolution in the town.”
