Falco were delighted to be part of the official opening of the latest TransPennine Express ‘Bike Shed’ cycle hub on the TPE network. The event hosted by TPE Interim Managing Director Liz Collins showcased the new DfT funded FalcoHub cycle parking facility at the prestigious Hull Paragon Interchange. Minister for Rail, Chris Heaton-Harris MP made a special trip to the port town to view the cycle parking facilities for himself and was accompanied on the day by Cllr Daren Hale, Deputy Leader of Hull City Council.

Falco Managing Director, Jeremy Green showed the guests around the new facility and demonstrated the latest FalcoLevel Premium+ two tier cycle racks explaining some of the benefits of the hub and the two tier system. The Transport Minister was impressed by the quality of the hub and was able to try out the new cycle parking racks for himself (using just one finger!) as well as viewing dedicated changing and bike maintenance facilities.

The new facility will provide 160 customer spaces using the FalcoLevel two-tier cycle rack, six of which allow those with e-bikes to charge up their bicycles in the safety of the cycle hub. Additionally, there is also provision for 30 spaces in a separate area for those who work at Hull Paragon Interchange to help encourage cycle to work options.

The facility, which has seen £170,000 of investment predominately from the Department for Transport’s Cycle-Rail fund, also has a kitting up area with benches and mesh lockers, while providing a secure area for cyclists to leave their bikes as each bike space provides three locking points which is also covered by CCTV.

Liz Collins, Interim Managing Director for TransPennine Express, commented: “We are delighted to have been able to enhance and expand the cycle parking facilities at Hull Paragon Interchange, with this brand-new hub in partnership with the Department for Transport. “As we’ve seen over the past six months, cycling has become increasingly popular, and our partnership has helped deliver this new infrastructure that will enable customers who want to cycle to the station to be able to leave their bike in a secure location, protected from the great British weather".

Rail and Cycling Minister Chris Heaton-Harris MP said: “We have set out an ambitious plan to transform attitudes around cycling, creating a healthier and more active country. This investment from our Cycle-Rail fund gives people confidence to safely store their bikes at stations, simplifying their commutes and helping people make a positive change that will reduce traffic congestion on the roads in and around Hull’s city centre.”

Councillor Daren Hale, Deputy Leader of Hull City Council, said: “The opening of the cycle hub at Paragon Interchange is a vital component in our ambitious journey to make Hull a cycling a city. With the installation of clearer and more visible cycle lanes, we want to build a network that is accessible for everyone. And in order for this to be successful, having a secure storage facility is necessary. We are delighted that the cycle hub is opening and I hope it will encourage even more people to start using a more sustainable form of transport, and I look forward to the opening of a second facility in Trinity Market in the near future".

Falco MD Jeremy Green commented that “We’re delighted with the outcome, it’s a great project throughout, the FalcoHub cycle hub at Hull was initially rendered by Falco’s Marketing Department to demonstrate to the client what the facility would look like when complete and the finished hub looks great!”

Falco is the UK's ;largest manufacturer of cycle hubs, cycle shelters and associated cycle parking equipment. The popular FalcoHub design has been used across the UK for secure cycle and waiting hubs including; the capitals first series of community cycle hubs as part of the London Borough of Waltham Forest Mini Holland Programme, a bespoke cycle hub and 32m waiting shelter at Derby Midland Station and recent cycle hub installations at Birmingham International, Dewsbury, Irlam and Upminster Stations.

For more information about the scheme here at Hull Cycle Hub, please contact our helpful sales team on 01538 380080.