A NEW smart bike rental scheme was unveiled on Sunday at a charity event raising money for homeless people.

Politicians and community leaders attended the Brighton Housing Trust’s (BHT) Around the World Cycle Challenge to test out the bikes.

The 450 bikes supplied by Hourbike will be available to rent via an app from early September, as part of the £1.45 million scheme.

City councillors including transport lead Gill Mitchell and Green MP Caroline Lucas tested the city’s first bike at the Preston Park Velodrome track as part of the fundraising event for BHT.

Councillor Gill Mitchell said: “We’re delighted the city’s new share bike has now been put through its paces whilst raising funds for BHT’s First Base drop in centre.

“The bike got a great reaction from the many people who had a ride.

“We’re very much looking forward to the bikes being on the streets and available to hire from September.”

Users will be able to locate the bikes on a mobile app anywhere in the city or they can be taken from 50 docking stations being installed during the summer.

The rental cost will be £1.80 an hour or £72 a year, including one hour of use per day.

At the launch, Life Natural Spring Water, an ethical bottled water brand, was announced as the scheme’s headline sponsor for the next three years.

Bike rides were also available to the public in aid of BHT’s First Base Day Centre for the homeless.

Councillor Alan Robins and Cllr Mitchell Riders took part in the Around the World Cycle Challenge, collectively pedalling over 3,343 miles, the equivalent distance from Brighton to Semey, a city in East Kazakhstan.

In total, the event has raised more than £13,000, with collections still open.

Andy Winter, BHT director, said: “The support from the Brighton Bike Share team at our first ever Around the World Cycle Challenge was incredible and the money raised will make a difference to the lives of many homeless people in our city.

“It was with the support of the community and fundraising efforts like this that last year we were able to help 306 people to move off the streets.”