The popular Beryl bike-sharing service at Perdiswell Leisure Centre has been temporarily suspended following a series of vandalism incidents, including a recent attack that left one bike with extensive fire damage. Over the past few weeks, a total of six bikes have been targeted, with previous incidents involving significant damage to the rear wheel spokes of multiple bikes.
The most recent attack, which occurred over the weekend, has prompted Beryl to close the bike bay while the company investigates the cause and identifies those responsible.
Cllr Karen Holmes, a Liberal Democrat Claines City Councillor, expressed her disappointment regarding the ongoing vandalism: “This is incredibly frustrating. A small number of individuals are ruining an important and accessible resource for the entire community. We’re committed to working with the Community Safety team, Beryl, and the City Leisure Centre team to ensure the safety of the bay and get it reinstated as soon as possible.”
Regular users of the bike bay have been notified of the temporary suspension via an in-app push notification. The bay will remain closed until investigations are complete, with efforts underway to enhance security and prevent further damage.
“We know how important the Beryl bikes are to local residents and visitors, and we’re doing everything we can to resolve the situation quickly,” said Cllr Holmes. “We’ll ensure this service is brought back safely for everyone to enjoy. We have been working on getting more bays and now we’ve lost a vital piece of the Beryl network.
County Councillor, Mel Allcott, commented: “This is a deeply concerning issue that affects not only the users of the Beryl bikes but the wider community in Worcester. Vandalism like this is not only a criminal act but also a setback for our shared efforts to promote sustainable transport and active travel.’
‘While this is a city matter, we must all work together to tackle these challenges. I want to thank Karen and Cllr Jessie Jagger for their swift response and dedication in addressing the issue. We are all committed to resolving this and ensuring the bike bay is safely reinstated for everyone to enjoy.”
