The operator, Beryl, unveiled around 400 new bikes this week, including electric models, but the pricing has already sparked debate.

Pay-as-you-go rates have also risen. A 20-minute pedal bike ride, once £1, now costs £1.90, while e-bikes incur a £1 unlocking fee and a usage rate of 14p per minute (£8.40 per hour). Pedal bikes cost 7p per minute (£4.20 per hour), plus a 50p unlock fee. Student discounts, corporate memberships and minute bundles are available.

Chief executive Phil Ellis defended the prices, saying they remain competitive with other UK cities, but added they would be reviewed: “If we’ve got it wrong, we’ll have to do something about it.”

Reactions from the public have been mixed. Some, like Róisín, feel the £120 membership is too high and would discourage regular use, stating that “at that price you might as well buy a bike.” Others, like Rob, suggested the annual fee looks better when broken into monthly costs, though still “off-putting” for many locals.

Belfast City Council has backed the changes, arguing this is the first price rise since 2018 and that it had not kept pace with inflation. Officials also expect the addition of e-bikes to boost popularity, especially for commuters tackling hills or longer journeys.

The city’s 60 docking stations remain in place, with users required to access the bikes through the Beryl app. The Department for Infrastructure supported the e-bike rollout, citing health and environmental benefits.

By the end of the year, the fleet is expected to expand to 400 bikes, of which 100 will be electric.