Free bicycle checks and registration at Leamington railway station today and Friday

Warwickshire County Council is joining forces with the British Transport Police (BTP) and Bike Fixers to run two Pedal & Ride cycle events at Leamington Rail Station.

Cyclists will be offered the chance to get their bike serviced free of charge by mobile bike repair company, Bike Fixers. Commuters will be able to leave their bike in the capable hands of a mechanic to fine-tune their vehicle.

To take advantage of the scheme, all cyclists need to do is prove they have used the train three times in the previous two weeks by showing a rail travel card or train tickets. The organisers are hoping to target commuters on their way to and home from work, so will be at Platform 1 from 7.30am to 10.30am and 3.30pm to 6.30pm on both days.

Similar events have been held at Leamington Rail Station in recent months and have proved extremely popular.

About 100 bikes have so far been checked and serviced at the station by Bike Fixers’ specialists and British Transport Police have registered more than 70 cycles on the Bike Register database, which helps deter would-be thieves and makes it easier for police to reunite any stolen bikes which are recovered with their owners.

There will also be the opportunity to purchase a ‘D’ lock for just £20, usually priced at £44.99. This offer also proved extremely popular at the recent Leamington events, with 50 cyclists benefiting from the discounted security locks.

In addition to ‘D’ locks, cyclists can purchase lights sets being sold at just £10.

The “Pedal & Ride” events are funded by Warwickshire County Council, as part of the council’s efforts to increase the number of people in the county using sustainable transport methods, such as bicycles and trains.

Cycling also has many health benefits. Physical inactivity leads to around 37,000 premature deaths a year in the UK. By encouraging physical activity through active travel, the County Council wants to positively influence obesity reduction, respiratory and cardiovascular illness prevention, mental wellbeing and many other factors leading to morbidity.

Cllr Peter Butlin, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Transport and Highways, said: “It is great to be able to offer rewards to regular cycle commuters and we are grateful to our partners for the support they are lending to the event. Pedal & Ride events help commuters realise the importance of cycle safety and give them the opportunity to get their bikes checked at registered at no cost.”

BTP support officer Mark Etienne said: “Partnership working between BTP, Warwickshire Police, WCC and Bike Fixers is key to improving bike security and reducing cycle crime on the rail network.

“Marking cycles, using Bike Register security system, is a proven tactic in reducing cycle related crime. Having cycles registered on the Bike Register database allows police to see if a bike has been reported lost or stolen 24hrs a day which assists in prompt investigation and potential return of property to the rightful owners”

Warwickshire County Councillor Phillip Johnson, Chair of Communities Overview and Scrutiny Group, added: “These events demonstrate the partners commitment to sustainable travel and cycle safety and security. We received extremely positive feedback from cyclists and other members of the public at recent events held in Leamington.”