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Folding bike hire service for Waterloo commuters

London SE1 website team

Commuters arriving at Waterloo Station will be able to hire a folding bike to continue their journey as part of a tie-up between South West Trains, Brompton and local bike shop On Your Bike.

Folding bike hire service for Waterloo commuters
Brompton launch at Waterloo
Wednesday's launch event at Waterloo (photo courtesy Roger Stocker)

South West Trains has invited some of its season ticket holders to take part in a free three-month trial of the scheme which will use Brompton folding bikes.

Stagecoach Group chief executive Brian Souter launched the new initiative at Waterloo Station on Wednesday along with Will Butler-Adams, managing director of Brompton Bicycle, passengers taking part in the trial and Dave Holladay of CTC.

"Our extensive consumer research around the UK has found that environmental concerns are growing," says Brian Souter.

"People are looking for travel choices that will help reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a healthier lifestyle.

"Cycling is growing in popularity and many people are now looking to get on their bikes as part of an integrated trip that also involves using trains or buses. We hope this innovative initiative will make it easier for people to take the greener smarter travel option, stay healthy and help save the planet."

Participants in the trial will be able to hire the South West Trains-branded Brompton bicycles from the lost property office in Lower Road underneath Waterloo Station.

Rail firms have in recent years made it more difficult for cyclists to take their own bikes on board trains.

Tooley Street bicycle shop On Your Bike is responsible for the logistics of the scheme and maintenance of the bikes.

"This is an innovative scheme that brings about a fully integrated transport system combining cycling and rail travel," says managing director Robert Chappell.

"It is a further expansion of OYB's cycle maintenance and repair services from our London Bridge state-of-the-art workshop.

"We are delighted to be part of this scheme and look forward to On Your Bike's involvement in ensuring that the cycles will be maintained to the highest standards."

Next year a Transport for London bike hire scheme will be introduced in central London including north Lambeth and north Southwark.

A consultation event to discuss locations of docking stations in the Waterloo area will be held at Johanna Primary School on Wednesday 25 February.

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