This Sunday brings the opportunity for residents to head to Preston Park and try out one of the new rental bikes that will be popping up at different sites across the city from September.

The bike share scheme is an initiative that’s been in the pipeline for a number of years, and is something the Greens have championed from the outset – including securing funding from the Local Economic Partnership (LEP) to help with start-up costs.

The event is taking place at the Preston Park Velodrome, where for a small donation people will be able to try out one of the new smart bikes. Donations will go to Brighton Housing Trust and their First Base Day Centre – who do incredible work supporting people in crisis and rough sleeping in the city. More information about the event is online here.

Adding a bike share scheme into the mix of local transport options can only be a good thing for both residents and visitors. Air pollution is a very real problem in Brighton and Hove, and it’s hoped that the bike share scheme will play a part in tackling the problem, in addition to reducing congestion on our roads and journey times as a result.

I look forward to trying out one of the new bikes myself, and the event at the velodrome is an opportunity to do it on relatively flat ground, rather than the hills of Hanover!