On 28th June 2023, new guidance commissioned by the Cycle-Rail Working Group administered by Sustrans and developed by SYSTRA was launched in Westminster by Minister of State for Transport Rt Hon Jesse Norman MP, Network Rail’s Chair Rt Hon Lord Peter Hendy CBE and representatives from Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT), Chiltern Railways and Active Travel England.
The updated ‘Cycle-Rail Toolkit 3’ offers guidance to station owners, Train Operating Companies (TOCs), local authorities and other scheme promoters on making the journey to and from the railway station easier by cycle as well as advising on how best to provide space for cyclists and their cycles at stations and onboard trains.
The rail network is the backbone of Britain’s public transport system, yet passenger journeys do not start nor finish at railway stations. Improving the overall ‘rail offer’ by making it easier to walk, wheel and cycle to and from rail stations by personally owned or shared cycles will encourage more people to travel by train. A simultaneous reduction in the number of people making short journeys to railway stations by car will also ease traffic congestion in our towns and cities and benefit the environment and address social challenges such as health, well-being and air pollution.
The new Cycle-Rail Guidance provides best practice case studies, practical information to support the justification for investment, and also points out possible new sources of funding.
Phillip Darnton OBE, Cycle-Rail Working Group Chair said, “On commissioning this work we wanted to create a user-friendly step-by-step guide to encourage and increase the overall number of cycle-rail users. I am delighted that both the cycling and rail sectors have worked in partnership to help create such a fantastic and informative Guide. It has been written specifically for rail and station operators and those involved in making end to end journeys more attractive”.
Emma Spencer, Cycle-Rail, Sustrans said, “It was great to welcome Transport Minister Jesse Norman and to hear him speak enthusiastically about the importance of combining cycle-rail travel. The launch and guidance highlight the close relationship between the Cycle Rail Working Group and organisations such as Active Travel England, Network Rail, Great British Railways Transition Team and other train operating companies”.
Sébastien Dupont, Managing Director Consultancy, SYSTRA, said, “At SYSTRA we think about the whole transport system and how it interacts. We know that more emphasis on the end-to-end journey is critical for creating the necessary shift towards sustainable transport and achieving net zero by 2050. This Cycle-Rail Guidance is a key tool to support the growth of sustainable transport. We are very proud to have developed it with the Cycle Rail Working Group and are now looking forward to supporting its implementation”.
David Alderson, Active Travel Lead, UK and Ireland, SYSTRA said, “It’s been thoroughly rewarding for my team to develop the Cycle-Rail Guidance, our combined enthusiasm, knowledge and expertise has proven to be a perfect match for the Cycle Rail Working Group. We very much look forward to supporting TOCs, GBRTT, Active Travel England, local authorities and other scheme promoters to develop their cycle-rail offer”.
The interactive Cycle Rail Guidance: Toolkit 3 is available to download free of charge today.
