Posted on 26th Jul
Two more Brompton bike docking stations have been installed in Newark.
Docking stations at Newark Bus Station and in the heart of the Middlebeck development will each hold eight Brompton folding bicycles – and residents can book the bikes via the Brompton bike hire app. They can reserve a bike for a day in advance to travel for 24 hours or keep the bike for up to 30 days.
At the end of the rental period, residents 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.
There are now three Brompton Bike stations in the town with the first docking station at Newark Castle Train Station, located in the front car park at Castle House.
The installation of the docking stations form part of one of Newark and Sherwood District Council’s eight priority projects using the £25m Towns Fund deal secured with central Government, which was developed to help increase prosperity and economic growth in towns across the UK. The ’20-Minute Cycle Town’ project links to wider sustainable and active travel ambitions and seeks to make cycling an easier, more affordable option for Newark residents and workers.
Coun David Lloyd, leader of the district council, said: “Newark really can be a cycling town once again and the benefits of being one is clear to see. Not only does cycling improve our own 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 Census data from 2011 showed that 9% of the town’s population already rely heavily on bicycles as a means of transport. This is why we have already upgraded secure bike parking facilities in the town centre.
“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 town or city to install the bikes in the East Midlands!”
The final cycling hub is planned at Northgate Train Station and some employers are also showing an interest in hosting docking stations.
The 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”.
Kyle Smith, Communities and Partnerships at Urban&Civic, said: “Middlebeck is a growing community that will be home to over 3,200 families when complete. We were delighted to be selected as a key location for this cycle initiative, to support residents with a healthy and active lifestyle, and to be a hub for exceptional British engineering.”
“The Brompton Dock is located next to our brand new cycle hub to make Middlebeck the perfect place to pit stop during a ride, or to book in for a service. Only 500 meters from the Sustrans NCN 64, we are excited to welcome cyclists and commuters of all abilities to the development.”
Prices for hire range from a £5 annual fee and £10 daily charge for occasional users and £20 annual fee and £5 daily charge for frequent users.
Those with their own bicycle can make use of a series of secure street cycle pods across Newark town centre. 22 cycle pods were installed last year as part of Newark’s Safer Streets project, which is being delivered by the Office for the Police and Crime Commissioner, in partnership with Newark and Sherwood District Council, Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire County Council. The pods were installed in locations including Chatham Court, the Morrison’s and Waitrose supermarkets, Baldertongate, St Marks Place and Queen’s Court.
Free bike marking sessions also take place all year round across Newark and Sherwood to provide added safety for bike users. The bike marking process involves a unique tamper proof code being marked on to the bike frame in a way that makes it impossible to remove. The code is registered on a database, with photos and owner details.
