Dacorum Borough Council is launching a town‑wide electric bike hire scheme, creating a convenient, accessible travel option for residents, commuters and visitors.

The scheme is set to be funded by the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), as well as £500,000 from Herts IQ's growth investment fund, reflecting the enterprise zone’s commitment to enabling low‑carbon mobility and improving connections between key economic areas.

Making sustainable travel the easy choice

The new fleet of e‑bikes will be available for short‑term hire within an initial station-to-town-to-Maylands ride zone, offering an easy and affordable alternative to car travel. The electric boost will make cycling on Hemel Hempstead’s hilly terrain easier and more accessible to all.

Planned as an initial three‑year trial, with an option to extend for a further two years, the scheme could expand across the borough or link with neighbouring services across South West Hertfordshire depending on demand.

Why it matters

By transforming the way people travel locally, the scheme aims to:

• Encourage a shift from short car journeys to cleaner transport
• Reduce congestion, carbon emissions, and air pollution
• Improve connections between rail stations, employment areas, neighbourhoods, and the town centre
• Support health and wellbeing through more active travel
• Provide an affordable transport option

Early conversations with businesses and commuters indicate strong interest, but wider public engagement is planned as the scheme is developed, to help shape its final design and locations. 

Supporting Hertfordshire’s clean growth mission

Neil Rutledge, Chair of Herts IQ, said: “This scheme tackles the ‘last mile’ challenge between key destinations like the station, town centre, and Maylands Business Park. By helping accelerate this first phase, we’re investing in exactly the kind of sustainable infrastructure that modern business environments need to thrive.”

Cllr Adrian England, Portfolio Holder for Place, said: “This scheme will make it easier for people to choose cleaner, healthier and more sustainable ways of getting around Hemel Hempstead, helping more residents get in the saddle and move in the right direction. Electric bikes open up cycling to a far wider range of people, and this trial will help us better understand how an eBike network can benefit our communities, reduce emissions and support future growth across the town.”

This project is one of nine new schemes supported by Herts IQ as part of its mission to enable clean, connected, innovation‑led growth across the county.

The initiative also plays a key role in Dacorum Borough Council’s climate commitments, supporting progress towards net‑zero by 2050 and forming part of the Infrastructure Delivery Plan for future growth, including Hemel Garden Communities.

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Next steps

The Council will now start procurement to appoint a specialist operator to design, deliver and manage the scheme. This includes supplying e‑bikes, installing docking or geo‑fenced parking locations, providing a user‑friendly app, and managing charging, maintenance and customer support.