A NEW cycle hire scheme like London's Boris bikes may finally be launched in Brighton and Hove.

The aim is to establish a bike hire service with 430 bikes available from a minimum of 50 hubs or docking points in the city.

The vision is for bike hire hubs to be installed along the seafront and near city centre tourist attractions.

The scheme would also operate along the A27 corridor, heading out to the university campus sites at Falmer.

Research by the city council’s transport planning team has revealed demand for bike hire in the chosen areas as many homes in the densely populated seafront areas do not have space to store bicycles securely.

In March a government grant of £1.16 million was announced from the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) grant and an initial £60,000 was expected to be paid from the council.

Around six staff would be required for the scheme, which would be run as a social enterprise, offering training and apprenticeships.

It is hoped the plan would eliminate around 300,000 car journeys a year from the city, helping reduce congestion, improve air quality and speed journey times.

Councillor Gill Mitchell, lead member for environment and sustainability at Brighton and Hove City Council, said: “This is an exciting scheme that should work well for the city.

"The aim is to provide a flexible service, working alongside existing cycle hire providers and which gives more choice to those who live, work or visit here.”

The proposed date for rolling out Bike Share is May 2017 after the council goes through its procurement process.

The chosen supplier would commit to an initial three year contract and be required to supply the bikes plus associated equipment as well as management and maintenance of the service.

Councillors will consider plans to introduce the Bike Share scheme at the next Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee on Tuesday.

The council previously estimated the scheme would bring benefits for road safety valued at £19,000 a year, £147,000 for health, £33,000 on absenteeism, plus other benefits for users valued at £447,000 a year.