The Welsh capital has revealed it will be launching a new electric bike hire scheme, adding thousands of vehicles to its streets as soon as next year.
The move was announced by Cardiff Council last week and will see e-bikes arrive in 2026 as part of a new rental scheme plan.
The council said the scheme will encourage residents to travel throughout the city in a more environmentally friendly way.
Under the measures, the council hopes to add 2,500 e-bikes to the city with the option to add electric scooters in the future, if approved by the Department for Transport.
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The e-bike scheme is expected to come to Cardiff by Spring next year
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The scheme will be fully funded and operated by a private company, with the council explaining that it will only have to cover the cost of installing painted parking bays.
It follows the previous Nextbike trial, which saw over two million rides between 2018 and 2023, but was eventually suspended due to high levels of vandalism and theft.
This time, however, the council explained that all the bikes in the trial would be electric, with the hope that they would be less likely to be vandalised and require less maintenance.
They will also be fitted with GPS tracking to recover the bikes in case they are moved or stolen while not in use.
E-bike riders can face prosecution for failing to follow traffic rulesPAPlans suggest that the vehicles will be parked in designated "geo-fenced" areas, ensuring they are left in appropriate places and not parked on the pavement.
According to council documents, the scheme will only be available for those over the age of 18, marking a key difference between the Department for Transport’s e-bike policy, which allows riders to use the bike at the age of 14.
The report stated: "The Single Impact Assessment states that a Child Rights Impact Assessment is not required as e-bikes are not suitable for children and there is an age limit of 18 years to use the service.
"The UK micromobility market is growing, diversifying and innovating to address earlier challenges, by improving design and utilising technology to restrict fleet usage, enforce speed limits, ensure appropriate parking, and optimise service."
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The council explained that it has spoken to several cycle hire operators across the UK and Europe, with the outcome finding strong interest in running a scheme in Cardiff.
Neighbouring councils in the Vale of Glamorgan and Newport have also expressed interest in joining the scheme, which could accelerate the wider adoption of e-bikes across Wales.
Councillor Dan De’Ath said: "We’re bringing back a cycle hire scheme that works for Cardiff — one that’s safer, smarter, and more secure.
"This is a great example of how we can deliver better services for residents without extra cost to the Council. We’ve listened, we’ve learned, and we’re ready to get Cardiff cycling again."
More e-bike riders have been caught conducting criminal activityGETTYWhile e-bikes are expected to improve the transport options across the city, residents have had mixed views.
Sharing on Facebook, one person said: "I'm glad that this scheme has returned to Cardiff, and I'll definitely use it. Just want to know what provision exists so that the visually impaired are not at risk of breaking their neck on a dumped cycle.
"At least the last scheme required bikes to be docked, meaning our most vulnerable did not have to avoid yet one more obstacle."
Another person shared that the scheme used to be suitable, but "they got destroyed". They noted that other issues could blight the rollout of the new scheme.
A third concerned resident claimed: "Sadly, there are still some who will throw them in the river, particularly if the bikes aren't physically docked, or simply smash them up. That was the reality of the first scheme; what is the proposal to stop these ne'er do wells repeating their anti-social behaviour?"
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