Brighton’s newest e-bike cycle scheme has been praised as an “affordable, healthy and sustainable” travel option in response to concerns over pricing.

The new Beryl BTN bike-hire scheme will be rolled out in phases over the summer and will allow users to cycle along the city’s coastline.

Now, after concerns were raised about the prices compared to similar schemes in London and Manchester, the council has hit back saying that it is “not a like-for-like comparison”.

In response, a Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said: “Cycling is an affordable, healthy and sustainable way to travel around the city. We look forward to people enjoying our new Beryl BTN scheme.

“The fleet of new bikes is being rolled in out in phases over the summer.

“The first phase will cover the seafront between Portslade and Rottingdean, as well as connecting Hove and Brighton stations, via key spots such as Churchill Square.

“Unlike schemes in Manchester and London, Beryl BTN Bikes is not publicly or commercially subsidised. So it’s not a like-for-like comparison.”

The council added that once the scheme had expanded in the summer, a “wider range” of affordable options would also be available.

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Eventually, nearly 800 bikes will available for use, with the first phase of the project covering the seafront from Portslade to Rottingdean. The project will then spread city-wide by September.

Currently, Beryl’s BTN e-bikes can be used for 15p per minute on top of a £1 unlocking fee, working out at £10 per hour.

Prices can be lowered by purchasing “minute bundles”, with 10 minutes on the bike costing £1.50 with no unlocking fee.

Compared to other schemes, London’s Boris Bikes cost £6.60 per hour for an e-bike and Manchester’s “bee bikes”, which are also run by Beryl, cost £7.50 per hour.

Phil Ellis, Beryl’s chief executive and co-founder, said: "Our e-bikes and bikes offer a fun, sustainable and easy to use alternative to road transport journeys and actively reduce traffic congestion and harmful carbon emissions while boosting air quality and public health.

"They're also cost-effective, especially when compared to private vehicle ownership, removing the costs associated with fuel, tax, storage, maintenance, MOT and insurance."