With a whopping 2,850 bicycle storage spaces, Cambridge train station offers cyclists more spaces to store and park their bikes than any other train station in the UK. In fact, almost 20% (18.5%) of spaces across the top 20 can be found at this train station alone, making it really standout as the most cyclist friendly and one that supports people to make journeys on their bikes.
With CCTV covering all bicycle storage spaces, across racks and stands, cyclists can feel reassured that their bikes have an extra layer of security and protection against bike thieves. Even rain need not be an issue with all spaces at this station being sheltered from the elements. There is also step-free access to all platforms, so you’ll never need to carry your bike up any steps when catching the train.
Whether you’re waiting around for your train to arrive or you find yourself on the platform at night, this station has you covered with waiting rooms, a seating area, toilets, public Wi-Fi, pay phones and customer help points.
Visitors arriving at Cambridge train station might feel encouraged to seek out a bike for getting around the city and exploring, however with no bicycle hire available at this particular train station, bikes for hire need to be sought out elsewhere, away from the station.
Advertisement
Cyclists living in and around the city of Cambridge are well catered for with not one train station ranking in the top 10, but two. Just a little further out of the city centre, Cambridge North ranks as the 4th most cyclist friendly train station in the UK, with a total of 1,000 spaces for cyclists to store their bikes in both compounds and racks, all sheltered and covered by CCTV.
The East of England boasts the most cyclist friendly train stations
As well as being home to the most cyclist friendly train station in the UK (Cambridge train station), the East of England celebrates a total of nine train stations listed amongst the top 20, five of which are listed within the top 10. This equates to 8,572 bicycle storage spaces across nine train stations, which is over half (56%) of the bicycle storage spaces spanning the top 20 stations.
Stations based in the North West, North East, East Midlands, West Midlands, Wales and Scotland failed to make it into the top 20.
Yorkshire (York station) and the South West (Bristol Temple Meads station) both have one train station each, making it into the top 20, whilst the East of England, South East and London all boast multiple stations listed within the top 20 list.
Expert response from Ben Mercer, cycling enthusiast and director at bike retailer: Leisure Lakes Bikes
Responding to the findings of the National Rail train stations study, Ben Mercer said:
“The East of England is paving the way forward for cyclist friendly train stations and making cycling very accessible as part of the commute to work, college or university. There’s more reason to make shorter journeys on two wheels, rather than in four.
“It’s great to see York station flying the flag for the North of England and Bristol Temple Meads station for the South West. We have stores in both of these cities, however with most of our 16 stores located in the north of the country and the Midlands, I’m acutely aware that the parts of the UK which our business supports are lagging behind.
“Although the findings highlight some gaps, with some UK regions not making it into the top 20 at all, we really hope to see more train stations become more cyclist friendly in the near future. With Cycling UK rolling out their five-year strategy and the Labour government planning to heavily invest in cycling, positive change seems to be on the forefront.
Advertisement
“Increased bicycle storage at train stations, including sheltered racks with CCTV and step-free access to platforms, will encourage more people to consider making cycling part of their daily and weekly journeys.”
Support for cycling and better cycling infrastructure in the UK
According to recently released figures from the Active Lives Survey from Sport England, compiled by the Department for Transport, in 2023 10% of adults in England reported cycling at least once per week for any purpose. This is an increase of 1 percentage points from last year and a decrease of 11% since pre-pandemic levels (2019).
The UK’s leading cycling charity, Cycling UK, commissioned a survey of over 4,000 people, in which findings identified that there is wide public support for cycling and better infrastructure in the UK. However, despite this support, data showed that while 92% of the UK can ride a bike, surprisingly less than half do.
In fact, when it comes to gender, bike ownership among women lags far behind at just 24% compared to 43% of men. Research shows that commuting to work via bike is also more popular amongst men with just 5% of women cycling to their workplace, compared to 20% of men.
Louise Haigh, the new secretary for transport, has recently relayed that The Labour government will invest “unprecedented levels of funding” in cycling and walking as a critical part of plans to improve health and inequality.
The new secretary for transport also highlights that almost three-quarters of trips in England are less than five miles and so it’s important that safe, accessible and consistent walking, wheeling and cycling routes are available as that provides people with more choice of how they travel. She explained that the Labour strategy will help people move away from feeling locked into expensive car use that many can’t afford – to access their workplaces, place of education or everyday journeys to the shops.
