Commuters will be able to cycle from train stations to their office as part of a new South West Trains scheme.

The Brompton Bike Campaign is the UK’s first green cycle hire initiative by a train company and will encourage passengers using South West Trains to combine their journey with cycling using a Brompton fold-up bicycle.

South West Trains season ticket holders will be able to hire a Brompton bike for up to a year for less than £2 a week, enabling them to make their journey to and from the station on bike.

Founder of Wimbledon-based cycling organisation Pedal4Health, Fred Ellis, said: “I think this will succeed in turning more people to cycle to work. Anything to get more people away from the road into cycling is a good thing.”

Following a successful pilot scheme, South West Trains is making 50 bikes available for hire which will have no travel restrictions and can be carried on all South West Trains services.

A selection of daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual bike hire options are also available for non-season-ticket holders and as an added incentive customers who hire for a minimum of three months will receive a £10 travel voucher.

Stewart Palmer, South West Trains managing director, said: “Cycling is growing in popularity and this initiative offers people the chance to reduce their carbon footprint while also contributing to a healthier lifestyle.”

The number of people cycling on London’s major roads has nearly doubled since 2000 and cycle hire schemes have become popular in Europe with initiatives launched in Paris, Brussels, Barcelona and Berlin.

Although the scheme has only made 50 bicycles available, Mr Ellis believes this number will increase due to popular demand. “Although, the initial number is small, I can see this campaign catching on and becoming popular,” he said.

Further information on the Brompton Bike campaign can be found at southwesttrains.co.uk or email bromptonbikes@swtrains.co.uk.

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