Brand new, easy-to-use cycle racks have been installed at Liverpool Street, increasing capacity for bikes at the station by 25%.
The racks are already in use, ready for when passengers can come back to the station without having to be on an essential journey.
Before the installation took place, there were a total of 248 spaces for bikes, and there are now 310 spaces. The main racks can be found next to platform 10, while there are additional racks at the Bishopsgate entrance.
The new double decker cycle racks come complete with gas-assisted technology for the top tier, meaning that passengers don’t have to lift the whole weight of their bike when loading and unloading.
Several other features of the cycle racks will also make life easier and safer for Liverpool Street cyclists:
- Easy-glide casters on the top racks for smooth and quiet operation. There is no loud rattling or crashing.
- Three secure locking points for each cycle space. Cyclists can lock both of their bike wheels and the frame.
- Ergonomic plastic handles for better grip and easy use all year round. Metal handles get cold in winter.
- Pump, repair stand and lock rack. Essential kit is provided on site for running repairs and to lighten the load of the cyclist’s backpack.
- Lots of space. The racks can fit a bike up to 139cm tall on the upper tier and a bike up to 120cm tall on the lower tier. Tyres can be up to 50mm in thickness. There’s enough room for pannier racks on bikes without taking up other people’s space.
- Low loading height. Cyclists only have to lift the front of their bike 31cm to get the front wheel into the rack and can then roll the rest of the bike up into place.
In order for the installation of the new racks to take place, engineers had to remove passengers’ bikes from the old racks. The bikes are being stored at Liverpool Street and can be collected for free from station reception until at least 21 September, which is three months after all legal limits on social contact are set to end. Cyclists should bring their lock key to prove they own their bike before taking it away; no locks were cut in the removal process.
Emma Watson, Network Rail station manager for Liverpool Street, said: “Our latest passenger surveys told us in no uncertain terms that we needed to improve the cycle racks at Liverpool Street. The new racks are a significant upgrade, and we hope our cyclists will enjoy discovering them when they return to the station over the coming months.
“I would like to thank our suppliers, Cyclepods, and our own transformation project manager, Jon Mills, for delivering the work to such a high standard.
“Having completely overhauled our toilets and introduced greener and cleaner new seating, our transformation programme continues apace. As well as the cycle racks, we have already installed smart new matting at all our entrances in 2021, with several projects coming soon. These include the launch of fast, free and unlimited WiFi on the concourse, the refurbishment of our disabled toilets and TfL Rail’s extension of platforms 16 and 17 to allow longer trains to run.”
Jon Imeson, Cyclepods project manager, said: “The award-winning racks we have installed at Liverpool Street are sure to improve the experience of the station’s cyclists hugely, and we look forward to seeing the equipment being used to its full potential once people can travel more freely again.
“Our racks have three secure locking points for each space, so passengers are able to follow the British Transport Police advice of using at least two locks to secure the back wheel and the frame of their bike. We also recommend registering bikes for free at BikeRegister.com and ordering one of their bike marking kits if possible.
“We wish all the best to Liverpool Street station’s cycling community and hope that everyone gets a lot of enjoyment and use out of the racks for many years to come.”
Photo credit: Network Rail
