York city centre cycling lock-up set to open near Lendal Bridge

A former electricity sub-station in the shadow of Lendal Bridge is being converted to house the new facility, which will also feature a shower, washroom, changing and toilet facilities, as well as a display and sales area.

There will also be a first floor cycle repair workshop, office and small café area, with a platform lift to provide disabled access to the first floor. The project is being funded jointly by City of York Council and Cycling City York and will be developed and run by the Bike Rescue Project – a York-based company that recycles bikes and parts.

Bike thefts have been a persistent problem in York in recent years, with an average of five thefts a day. It is hoped the secure facilities will help prevent crime.

Graham Titchener, programme manager for Cycling City York, said the organisation’s hard work was starting to pay off, with about 15 per cent of York residents now choosing to travel by bike.

He said: “We won’t be resting on our laurels – we have lots more planned for 2011, including a huge workplace cycling challenge that will involve up to 100 employers across the city.

“This is part of our drive to introduce more people to the benefits of commuting by bike, but will also see York going head-to-head with Cambridge, which is renowned for its cycling city status, as part of our commitment to raising awareness at a national level of what a great place York is for cyclists. It should be lots of fun seeing commuters from York and Cambridge battling it out and more details about this project will be available soon.”

Mr Titchener said they would also be continuing to improve York’s existing cycling infrastructure by repainting faded lines on cycle lanes, filling potholes and improving signs.

He said thousands of people of all ages had benefited from Cycling City York’s busy programme of activities in 2010, including guided cycle rides, community cycle try-out sessions and special events for schools and businesses.