A new cycle hub has been opened at Thameslink‘s Bedford station by Bedford and Kempston MP Mohammad Yasin.

The hub has two-tier storage for up to 322 bikes, and seven charging bays for electric bikes. It is covered by CCTV and has free access using a key fob available from the ticket office.

Funded by the Department for Transport‘s cycle rail fund and with further funding from Bedford Borough Council, the hub is being managed by the sustainable transport charity Sustrans.

The government fund aims to improve cycling facilities at stations, promote economic growth, improve journeys, and encourage environmentally-friendly transport to cut carbon.

Also high on the agenda is persuading people to cycle to stations as a way of encouraging them to get out and enjoy ‘active travel’ as part of their journeys.

Mohammad Yasin said:

”I was delighted to open the new cycle hub at Bedford station. It is more important than ever to increase the use of more sustainable methods of transport and the hub aims to provide a safe place for cyclists to park their bikes at the station alongside charging points for electric bikes.”

Jenny Saunders, Customer Service Director for Thameslink and Great Northern, said:

“We’re delighted to open this great new facility for our Bedford passengers. We hope that offering a more secure place to lock up your bike, as well as electric bike charging facilities, will encourage more passengers to cycle to the station.

“Travelling by train and bike is the most environmentally-friendly transport combination, and we’re working with local communities to make our stations even more sustainable.”

Andy Buckley of Beds & Herts Community Rail Partnership said:

“We welcome an increase in security for cycle users and we hope the new compound will encourage more people to cycle to the station rather than use their cars, with all the benefits – both personal and environmental – that this attracts.”