Swansea Uni launches sixth Santander Cycles hub in Mumbles

Swansea University has this month launched a sixth Santander Cycles hub situated in Mumbles.

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The hub is located on the foreshore, opposite Promenade Terrace with 10 bikes and 20 docks added to the already popular bike share scheme.

Welsh Government, Swansea Council and Mumbles Community Council are among those who have backed the Santander Cycles scheme, which was launched by Swansea University in July last year following victory in the Santander Cycles University Challenge.

[/aoa]The city joined London, Milton Keynes and Brunel to become one of four Santander-backed bike share schemes.

The scheme has already proved hugely popular, with users having access to an initial 55 bikes at five conveniently located hubs including Swansea University’s Singleton Park Campus, Civic Centre, Waterfront Museum, Fabian Way Park & Ride and Swansea University’s Bay Campus.

The continental-style bikes – which are available to the whole community, as well as visitors to the city – are provided by leading bike sharing company nextbike, Once registered with the Swansea scheme, users can access nextbike schemes in over 200 cities worldwide, including Cardiff which launched its scheme in May 2018.

The scheme offers an affordable way of travelling across Swansea, with different tariff and membership options available.

The pay-as-you-ride tariff costs just £1 for 30 minutes’ use and a maximum of £10 per day. For more frequent users, an affordable annual membership is now charged at £5 per month over 12 months and allows members to ride for the first 30 minutes free of charge. In response to customer feedback and in order to make the scheme even more accessible, nextbike has this month introduced a new monthly membership at £10 per month and no commitment.

Bikes can be unlocked and hired at any of the hubs electronically using an app, by phone or on the bike’s terminal.

The launch of the Mumbles hub marks the completion of phase one of the scheme and Swansea University will continue to work with key partners to consider options for future phases in additional locations.

Andrew Rhodes, Registrar and Chief Operating Officer at Swansea University said:

“We are very pleased to introduce a sixth hub to the popular Santander Cycles Swansea scheme. The new docking station is a really positive development for the city, linking Mumbles up to the rest of the scheme and offering the local and University community, as well as visitors to Swansea, a fun, affordable and sustainable way of getting about town and exploring this fantastic city by bike.”

Councillor Carrie Townsend-Jones, Chair of Mumbles Community Council said:

“Mumbles Community Council are excited to implement this successful project in our beautiful village. The bike hub is one of our initiatives in support of our ambitious vision for the Mumbles community. We have recently completed a ten-year strategy for Mumbles Community Council which has a major emphasis on healthy lifestyles, well-being and economic resilience. The close relationship formed with Swansea University to bring this hub to this location is an example of the collaborative approach that we see as fundamental to preparing the built and social environment to enable the community of Mumbles to thrive.”

Mark Thomas, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure Management, said: “The addition of this new bike hub is great news for the city in terms of our continued efforts to promote cycling as a healthy alternative mode of transport. The Santander bikes are becoming a common sight along our promenade and appear to be very popular.

“As a council we are doing plenty to increase our cycle infrastructure in Swansea so that the public can look seriously at cycling as an alternative mode of transport to the car.”

Tom Barrett, Relationship Manager, Santander Universities UK said:

“We launched the Santander Cycles University Challenge with the ultimate aim of benefitting the local community so it’s great to hear that over 11,000 rentals have been made since launch last year. With the Santander Cycles scheme now extending further we look forward to even more students and those from the local community making the most of these fantastic cycles in Swansea.”