Avanti West Coast has teamed up with a Cumbrian cycle business to make Penrith station a designated pick-up point for bike hire.
The station, on the West Coast Main Line, will become a designated pick-up point for e-bike hire thanks to the partnership between the town’s Arragons Cycles and Avanti.
The train operator has introduced the service with free delivery and collection for those arriving at the station.
Bookings can be made up to 24 hours in advance with Arragons Cycles, an independent family-run firm.
Visitors can include the details of their arrival time into Penrith within the notes, so members of the Arragons team can meet them off the train with their pre-booked bikes. As part of the service, Arragons will also collect the bikes at Penrith station before visitors board their train home.
The partnership with the third-generation family business aims to provide a hassle-free journey experience between train and bike that allows tourists and holidaymakers to visit the Lakes without the need for car.
Mark Green, Avanti West Coast station manager at Penrith, said: “We’re lucky to serve the North Lakes and are excited to have partnered with Arragons Cycles to help visitors enjoy sustainable adventures to this beautiful area.
“Being able to step off the train, jump straight onto a bike and ride into the heart of the Lake District means it’s even easier for people to explore the stunning scenery at their own pace. We hope this partnership will inspire more car-free explorations where visitors can take in the landscapes, towns, and villages on just two wheels.”
Sarah Graham, owner of Arragons Cycles, said: “Our independent cycle store has been part of the Penrith landscape since 1969. We added cycle hire to our offering in 2018 when Lowther Castle opened over 30km of dedicated cycle trails on their stunning estate which is open for the public to enjoy.
“Over the last couple of years, we experienced a growing number of enquiries from visitors hoping to explore the wider area by bicycle, so our delivery service was born.
“Because of electric assist bikes, cycling has become an accessible solution for environmentally active travel. Our partnership with Avanti West Coast really puts us on the map and we look forward to seeing many rail passengers experience the Eden Valley and North Lakes by bike.”
Managing director of Cumbria Tourism, Gill Haigh, said: “It’s excellent news to hear that Avanti West Coast has partnered with Arragons Cycles.
“Our Destination Management Plan very much focuses towards encouraging visitors to explore the county by sustainable and active means, so this ties into that vision. Penrith and the surrounding area lends itself well to exploration by bike, with some great routes particularly around Lowther Valley and Eden Valley.
“With the partnership being centred around the use of electric bikes, it enables more people to experience the area on two wheels.”
