Bike-sharing has proven popular, but it has put a spanner into the works for bike rental shops.

Brighton and Hove’s bike share scheme, BTN BikeShare, launched in September last year and has become the UK’s most popular bike share scheme outside London.

But now traders are rethinking their business models in response to the scheme’s success.

Mark Hedger, who runs Brighton Beach Bikes, said: “I have to now compete against the council’s bike share scheme, so I’m trying to come up with experiences that can separate my offering from their one.”

From this summer, Mark is introducing a picnic package which will include a hamper stocked with tapas from Hove-based restaurant and fine wine merchants, Fourth and Church, as well as a beachcombing experience for families, where children will be provided with a treasure hunt-style challenge, a bucket and a mini fishing net.

Mark said: “I initially took a bit of a hit when the scheme was launched last year, but then I started to reclaim my lost ground after a couple of weeks.

“Last week was the first really busy week of the year due to the weather, so I would like a few more of those.

“I think we are coexisting quite well with the scheme at the moment, because I offer more choice and people like the simplicity of dealing with a person rather than going through a sign-up process.

“Though it is difficult to gauge at the moment and I wanted to do something different and appeal to more markets.

“Sometimes competition is good, as it has made me up my game.”

Stephen Bell, who owns Cycle Brighton in Hove, said: “Of course we are losing out to the scheme because there used to be 200 bikes for hire and now there are hundreds more.

“It has had an impact, but we offer electric bikes, mountain bikes, children’s bikes and helmets.

“We also provide routes and group tours with guides, which we now promote more as this differentiates us.”

Becky Reynolds of Brighton and Hove cycle campaign group Bricycles, said: “While I am delighted at the success of the bike share scheme, I want to see a thriving independent bike hire scene.

“I am in support of all efforts to get more people on bikes as it is good for health, the environment and traffic.”