Bath's version of the Boris Bikes scheme is to be relaunched with a new operator and more hire points next year.
For the first time, people hiring bikes through the council-backed scheme will be able to take them beyond the city limits, with rides along the Two Tunnels route now a possibility.
Bath and North East Somerset Council has come to the end of an arrangement with the Italian firm which has run the bike hire scheme since September 2011.
From spring next year, German firm Nextbike - which operates 15,000 bikes across Europe - will be running the Bath service.
B&NES says the changes follow feedback from users of the demonstration scheme - itself part of a European heritage city project - and recommendations from experts at the University of the West of England.
Cabinet member for transport Councillor Caroline Roberts (Lib Dem, Newbridge) said: "The new and improved council scheme will boost cycling as a more viable option for people wanting to get around Bath and the surrounding area by bike."
More hire points will be available, at Bath Spa University, the Royal United Hospital, and further key locations in and around the city.
People will also be able to hire bikes using their credit card or mobile phone at the cycle stand, as well as via the web, where cards can be bought in advanced.
Mrs Roberts added: "The cycles can also explore surrounding routes like the Two Tunnels Greenway and Kennet and Avon Canal Path since there will be no restrictions on where they can be ridden."
A new website will include details of all the cycle stands and show how many bikes are currently available at each, while advance purchase cards for cycle hire will also be available from the tourist information office.
B&NES is using funding from the Local Sustainable Transport Fund to pay Nextbike, which is also providing cycle hire at next year's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The current stands will stop functioning in the next few days to allow a refit to begin.
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