Chance for rail travellers to get on their bikes

The project sees the addition of a cycling hub to the existing public transport interchange at Leeds City Station.

Based on a successful Dutch model, the Leeds Cyclepoint is the first of its kind in the UK.

Yesterday, Transport Minister Norman Baker and the Dutch ambassador, Pim Waldeck, officially opened the facility.

It is hoped that the cycling hub, situated in the rotunda at the front of Leeds station, will give rail passengers the option to continue their journey by bike and ease pressure on the city's roads.

It will provide secure, fully manned storage for hundreds of bicycles, a maintenance and repairs service, bike rentals and information.

In the Netherlands, 39 per cent of all rail passengers arrive at their local station by bike and Cyclepoints are established at most major stations.

In the UK 60 per cent of travellers live just 15 minutes from a station. Only two per cent of train passengers travel to the station by bike.

The project is being spearheaded by train operator Northern Rail and its joint owner Abellio. Partners include Network Rail, Metro, Leeds City Council and the operators of the facility, Evans Cycles.