Train operator, Southern Rail, is working with the cycle repair company, Handlebars, to give free bikes to key workers.
Every month about 20 abandoned bikes arrive at Southern's maintenance depot in Horsham for storage. The stock of unclaimed bikes is now approaching 300.
Owner of Southern Rail, Govia Thameslink Railway, and their community relations team plan to donate the bikes to charities that run renovation workshops, but the coronavirus pandemic has delayed this.
However, the team identified a programme being run by Handlebars, based at their workshop in the City of London, to renovate bikes and provide them free of charge to key workers.
GTR's Community Engagement Officer Rob Whitehead has worked with Handlebars to develop their scheme using the company's supply of cycles.
Handlebars have an initial capacity to take ten bikes, and their mechanic, Andre Noble, has visited Horsham Depot to pick ten bikes which can be ready for safe use quickly.
While at Horsham, Andre gave all bikes a quick inspection and graded each one according to how easy it would be to get into safe working order.
What did the officials say?
Angie Doll, Managing Director for Southern and Gatwick Express, said,
“We are going the extra mile to help key workers go their final mile – or more – from their station to their place of work, or to travel all the way to and from work by bike if convenient. If you have to travel, cycling at least part of your journey is a great way to keep fit and keep your social distance.
“Many thanks are due to Handlebars for providing their essential expertise free of charge, and to our facilities and community relations teams for making this happen.
“Partnering with Handlebars is part of a bigger proactive plan to use these unwanted bikes to promote safe, sustainable travel. We are also asking local councils, NHS trusts and hospitals if they know of any demand among their medical staff, care and social workers, and others on the front line, for free bicycles. It would reduce our bike mountain further, and help more key workers stay fit and healthy.
“As key workers ourselves, we're proud to be supporting everyone who still needs to travel. Now, more than ever, is a time to offer a helping hand where we can and support our local communities and key worker heroes.”
Andre Noble said:
“Southern saw our campaign and reached out to offer support. When they mentioned how many bikes are abandoned at stations we were shocked!
“We have seen a tonne of bikes in various conditions and were happy to help identify problems with the bikes at GTR. Only the safe ones will go out to key workers and the rest will need a bit of love first! It was a pleasure to meet Rob at the Horsham depot and we at Handlebars are looking forward to working together in the future.”
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Southern Rail should be proud. Plus they should consider replacing their Class 455 and Class 313 EMU trains with the converted 5-Car Class 458 cascaded from SWR to be used on the South London suburban services and on the East Coastway & West Coastway routes when the Class 701 SWR Aventras have entered service. And the Class 707s to be cascaded from SWR to Southeastern and possibly cascade the Class 376 from Southeastern to Southern to operate on the suburban routes in & around South London.