City residents have long embraced the bicycle as a mode of transport. After all, cycling not only helps people reach work or study faster, but also helps protect the environment. In Leeds, a public bike-sharing system has been introduced, becoming a popular and convenient means of getting around for both residents and visitors. Today, we’ll take a closer look at how the bike-sharing system has developed in Leeds. You can read more on leeds-future.com.
The First Steps Towards Bike-Sharing
Cycling has been a part of daily life in Leeds for some time, but formal bike-sharing began to take shape in the early 2010s. In 2014, the city launched its first official bicycle rental system — Leeds Cycle Hire.
Initially, the company operated with just 50 bicycles and 20 docking stations in central areas. This allowed people to efficiently travel short distances using two-wheeled transport. Within just three years, the network began to expand rapidly — the number of bikes and stations tripled.
Today, Leeds boasts more than 150 bike-hire points, not only in the city centre but also in residential areas. In total, the fleet includes over 1,000 bicycles. The rental bikes are equipped with GPS trackers and are fully integrated with mobile apps, making it easy to rent and return them. Users can check the availability of bikes and parking spaces in real time via the official Leeds Bikes app.
About Leeds Bikes
The Leeds Bikes initiative was officially launched in September 2023 as part of a broader city-wide plan to promote sustainable transport and improve mobility. The project cost approximately £2.8 million and introduced 300 electric bikes across 40 docking stations throughout the city.
In its first year, the system recorded over 70,000 rides, with more than 17,000 users taking advantage of the service.
The main goal of Leeds Bikes is to make getting around the city quicker and more convenient — particularly considering Leeds’ hilly terrain. The use of electric bicycles helps riders easily conquer inclines that were once a major barrier for many. The project has also reduced traffic and improved air quality, cutting carbon emissions by approximately six tonnes in its first year.
Bike-sharing has become genuinely popular in Leeds, with the number of annual cycling journeys steadily rising. In 2023 alone, over 1.8 million journeys were recorded, including both hire bikes and private bicycles. As of 2024, that number surpassed 2 million. These figures highlight how strongly the people of Leeds have embraced cycling, supported by improvements to cycling infrastructure and growing awareness of the environmental benefits of sustainable transport. In fact, overall cycling journeys — both private and shared — are increasing by roughly 8–10% each year.
Importantly, Leeds City Council actively supports cycling and bike-sharing initiatives. Local authorities continue to invest in expanding cycle lanes, adding new docking stations, and developing information systems. Local community groups and businesses have also become involved in the project’s implementation. Moreover, the council organises public awareness campaigns and educational events to promote the benefits of sustainable transport and encourage residents to use the bike-sharing service.
This is how Leeds’ bike-sharing system continues to grow. We hope you found this article informative and learned something new about your city.
