Beth Noy from Leisure Lakes Bikes, Paul Holland project manager at Virgin Trains, Mark Hendrick MP for Preston and Shirley Ross station manager at Preston

A new place for cyclists to park their bikes at Preston Railway Station has formally opened.

Preston Bike Hub has 200 spaces for securing bikes and it is the largest cycling hub on the West Coast Mainline.

Nearly £500,000 has been spent by Virgin Trains on improving cycle facilities at its stations, including Preston.

Preston MP Mark Hendrick officially opened the Bike Hub and was joined by guests from the city’s cycling community.

Station manager at Preston Shirley Ross said: “At Virgin Trains we want to make our customer’s end-to- end journeys seamless and supporting cyclists is a great way to achieve this. With a growing cycling community in Preston, we want to make it easier for cyclists to integrate a bike into their rail journey. We’re really proud of the Bike Hub and hope it encourages more people to get on two wheels before and after they board our trains.”

Alongside the Bike Hub is the Leisure Lakes bike shop which has expanded into the city.

Shirley and Beth at the launch of the Bike Hub

Leisure Lakes bike manager Lucy Noy said: “We’re really excited to be a part of this project that is continuing to improve cycling in Preston. Our new bike store will give people the opportunity to travel to Preston and hire bikes right from the train station, so they can enjoy the Guild Wheel and surrounding bike paths.

“We’ve seen the government-backed Cycle to Work scheme get lots of people switching from driving to cycling for their local commute. It’s not only helping the environment by getting cars off the road but also saves money and improves fitness on the daily commute. We’re confident Virgin Trains’ Bike Hub will increase the number of people cycling to work, as the 200 spaces give commuters a safe and easy place to secure their bike during the day.”

Preston Station bike hub with space for 200 cyclists to leave their bikes opens

Preston’s cycling credentials have been improved by the Guild Wheel since it opened back in 2012 – offering a 21-mile loop round the city.

Head of sport and leisure at Preston City Council Jimmy Khan said: “Preston City Council welcomes this exciting opportunity for cyclists, which will provide them with the comfort that their bikes will be kept safe and, if required, maintenance for them too. What is particularly pleasing is that those who wish will be able to hire bikes to get about the city. Virgin Trains should be congratulated on having the vision to develop this Bike Hub in Preston.”

What TripAdvisor users say about Preston Guild Wheel

Once signed up to the Bike Hub you can gain access and book spaces 24-hours a day, with secure locking for your bike and direct access to the platforms.

Have you used the Bike Hub? What do you think? Let us know in the comments below