Overview

A bespoke cycle hub complete with Easylift 2-tier cycle racks was manufactured and supplied by Cyclepods for installation at Whittlesford Parkway railway station in Cambridgeshire.

Requirement

The brief was to improve and increase the cycle parking provision at both entrances to the station including the creation of a hub for 220 bikes split between a secure access-controlled area for 88 spaces and an open area for 132 with a repair station and pump.

More cycle parking would give commuters and leisure travellers an alternative to taking the car into Cambridge.

Project detail

The area of land available for the hub was sandwiched between a Network Rail access road and the operational railway, adjacent to the London-bound platform. The location for the hub, by the entrance to the platform was already used by cyclists to tether their bikes to the railings. Cyclepods designed the hub to fit in with the limitations of the area but also to work for cyclists.

On the Cambridge-bound side of the station Cyclepods increased the number of spaces and used its Brighton shelter to provide cover for the new racks, providing weather protection to bikes stored beneath it. The open back and sides are not conducive to loitering and reduce the potential for vandalism. The solid roof ensures that the shelter roof is not blighted with algae growth or litter accumulation, and the white underside of the roof reflects the light back down onto the racks and reduces light pollution.

Outcome

The result is a functional but aesthetically-pleasing structure which highlights the train operator’s commitment to providing high-quality infrastructure for cyclists.

Whittlesford Parkway is just one of over 300 stations with Easylift two-tier cycle racks.

The EasyLift Premium two-tier cycle rack has proved very popular across the UK rail network due to its robustness, warm-to-touch, highly visible handles and a smooth glide action to pull the upper arm out. The upper arm lowers to floor level to ensure minimal lifting of the bike on to the upper arm. The gas-assist allows different body shapes and strengths to safely raise the upper arm to store their bike.