The new docking station, located just outside Newark Northgate Train Station, is the fourth station to be installed, adding to the enhanced cycling offer in the town. Other stations include Newark Castle Train Station, Newark Bus Station, and in the heart of the Middlebeck development.

The installation of the docking stations is just one of the many Newark Town Board’s priority projects using the £25m Towns Fund deal secured with central Government, that is levelling up the town. This new addition forms part of the ’20-Minute Cycle Town’ project which aims to make getting around town by bike much easier.

Tom Cartledge, co-chair of the Newark Town Board, said: “With the installation of this docking station, Newark residents and visitors now have the opportunity to swap four wheels for two while travelling around the town.

“Newark really can be a cycling town once again and the benefits are plenty. Cycling improves our health and wellbeing, but it also reduces carbon emissions that we produce, keeps cars off the road decreasing traffic congestion and is considerably cheaper than driving.

“The town has everything it needs for this to be a success; most facilities are in close proximity of each other, and residents and visitors can now use the Brompton Bikes to cycle between both our train stations and the bus station.

“Brompton bikes are great value and are used across the country in cities such as Oxford, Manchester, Birmingham and London. It’s exciting to be part of this group and we’re the first and only town or city to install the bikes in the East Midlands!  I hope that employers will also consider hosting docking stations in and around Newark too!”

Each station holds eight Brompton folding bicycles and residents can book out the bikes via the Brompton bike hire app. Once downloaded, residents need to create an account and have their ID at the ready. Bikes are a 24 hour hire as standard and you can hang on to it for as long as you like. The Brompton Customer Service team may check in with you to make sure everything is going smoothly after 30 days.

At the end of the rental period, residents simply drop the bike off at any Brompton dock, which could be in Newark or another town. Bikes are simple to unfold and can be placed easily on trains and in offices, even under desks.

Brompton want to make cycling as easy and as accessible to as many people as possible. That’s why 24 hours of hire costs just £5.

Customers will be able to get 5 days of free hire until Sunday 30 April using the code ‘Newark5’. Hire is then £5 per day thereafter.

Here’s how to claim your free hire:

• Make sure it’s between 8am until 5.30pm Monday to Friday before you activate your code
• Download the Brompton Bike Hire app and register your details
• Click the settings button at the top right
• Enter the promo code: Newark5
• Call Brompton Hire customer services on 0204 538 3225 to activate your code
• Credit will then be added to your account
• Hire from the any Brompton docking station in Newark and enjoy your free hire any day in April!

Chief executive of Brompton, Will Butler-Adams, said: “We are really excited to be launching our Brompton Bike Hire service here in Newark – our first in the East Midlands region. At Brompton, our purpose is to create urban freedom for happier lives and the new dock in Newark plays a small part in making that a reality.

“With Newark having direct rail links to Nottingham and London Kings Cross, the bikes can be hired and used as part of a commute and the inclusion of free hire memberships for local residents, means they can whizz around the town quickly and easily, and hopefully, providing a bit of fun along the way.”Matt Lamb, director for Planning and Growth at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “We are committed to doing all we can to promote cycling in the district.  That’s why we are also supporting other cycling initiatives such as investing in the YMCA Activity Village to provide a cycling facility suitable for a range of cyclists, from beginners to those who are more confident.

“We are also supporting this year’s Newark Town Cycle Race, returning to Newark on Friday 28 July.  Some of the greatest cyclists in the UK will be racing around the town centre for the final event of the British Cycling calendar and it’s set to be another thrilling night. We are working with local businesses, travel companies and highways to ensure the event is the best it can be for everyone!

“We are also continuing to work with the Highways Teams at Nottinghamshire County Council who look after our roads and pavements ensuring they remain the best they can possibly be and to upgrade infrastructure to continue to make cycling as accessible as possible.”