A NEW annual membership scheme is being introduced at Leicester’s main bike park, in the city’s Town hall Square.
From Monday 7 July, cyclists using the secure parking offered at the Town Hall Bike Park will need to have an Active Leicester Cycle Hub membership.
Current Active Leicester members can simply add Cycle Hub membership to their existing account.
Membership cards will need to be scanned when leaving a cycle at the Bike Park.
Cllr Geoff Whittle, assistant city mayor for environment and transport, said: “Secure and reliable bike parking is a really important element of encouraging more people to cycle into the city centre. The new membership scheme will make parking quicker and easier and will continue to provide excellent value for money.”
Membership will cost £10 per year but will be free for 12 months for anyone signing up before Monday 7 July.
There will no fee for daily parking for members.
However, there will be a £5 per night charge for any bikes not collected on the same day.
Joining is easy and can be done in the Bike Park or online at to www.leicester.gov.uk/cycleleicester
Membership for the Bike Park can also be arranged at any city council leisure centre.
It’s planned that the new membership scheme will be rolled out to all secure cycle parking hubs across the city, including St Margaret’s bus station, Park and Ride sites, the railway station and city leisure centres.
Over 30,000 bikes were parked at the Town Hall Bike Park last year. It is expected that this will increase to over 35,000 this year.
The Town Hall Bike Park is open between 8am to 6.30pm from Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to 6pm on Saturdays, and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.