Pop up bike-hub offering secure parking and bicycles for hire in Leeds Kirkgate Market

The new hub will allow people cycling into the centre to store their bike safely and securely.

People can also hire a bike from the hub for free.

The hub is also offering free adult cycle training available to residents of Leeds to support people accessing new and trial routes.

The hub will be managed by Leeds City Councils Connecting Leeds transport programme,

It will be staffed Monday to Friday, between 7.30am and 6pm.

It will run until Friday, October 2.

People can pay £10 to become a bike hub member, with unlimited secure parking.

There are also a range of services and support available to help people switch to riding a bike with advice on maintenance, access to maps and information on getting around Leeds.

Non-members can pay £1 a day to park, or access free parking for two hours if shopping in Leeds Kirkgate Market.

Bike hub user Britta Jost, said: “I used the bike hub and had an excellent experience.

"I was happy to pay £1 to leave my bike in a secure place. It’s a great idea in an excellent location and will definitely use it again.

"The staff were really nice and helpful too. I couldn’t be happier.”

MA student at University of Leeds, Marisha Krishna, said: “As soon as I heard about the bike hub, my boyfriend and I went and loaned bikes until 2 October.

"We cycled home, and then that evening we went on a 20km ride!

"Before, it was too far to walk to the supermarkets, but now I can do my shopping easily. I was so pleased that I told my friends – and now there are six of us with bike loans from the bike hub.”

Councillor Peter Carlill, Leeds City Council’s lead member for active travel, said: “As part of our ambitious plans to promote active travel, we have launched additional secure bike parking in the city centre.

"Leeds Kirkgate Market provides an ideal location for peace of mind and security to leave your bike while you work, shop or play in the city.

“This is also a great opportunity for new or existing cyclists to get expert advice on maintaining their bike, on getting around the city safely, and hire a bike free of charge – removing many of the barriers to active travel.

"The council’s aspiration is to make cycling and walking for shorter journeys a natural everyday travel choice.

"Providing places for people to safely and securely leave their bikes is a key part of that journey."

Installation of new bike parking stands is also starting across the city.

The newest stands are outside Merrion House.

More are planned over the summer to make space for up to 500 bike parking spaces across the city and district centres.

This work supports a wider programme of initiatives being carried out as part of the council’s response to Covid-19, taking emergency action to help people of all ages to walk and cycle safely as part of the council’s ‘safe streets, save lives’ campaign and further supporting greener, healthier, safer travel for Leeds residents.

People who want to book a bike parking space can do so on the website www.leeds.gov.uk/bike-hub.

****************************************

A message from the Editor: Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890. We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds. Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe. For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you

Laura Collins