At Cranbrook and Honiton stations, South Western Railway (SWR) has now launched a new eco-friendly further travel option for customers. Following the completion of installing Co Bikes docking stations plus 30 e-bikes, customers can now help to improve the environment.
Supplied by Co Bikes, the e-bikes allow customers to not only travel efficiently but aid road congestion and improve air quality in the area. The travel option gives both locals and visitors a different way to travel around East Devon and Exeter.
The partnership between SWR, Devon County Council, Co Bikes, the Department for Transport, East Devon District Council, and Exeter and East Devon Enterprise Zone allowed for the over £200,000 investment in the scheme.
20 of the bikes will be available at Cranbrook and the other 10 available at Honiton. To use the new bikes at either location, customers will need to download the Nextbike app on a smart phone and register an account.
The activation of accounts requires a £10 payment which is used for customers first e-bike trips. A range of bundles are also available at co-bikes.co.uk/bikerider/
Andrew Ardley, Regional Development Manager at South Western Railway said: “Introducing the e-bikes onto our network is an exciting step for us, and we're proud to be able to provide our customers with a new, sustainable travel option for their onward journey.
“This installation is timely, as it makes access via rail to the growing employment area to the east of Exeter and in Honiton even easier. There are also some great leisure cycling opportunities from both Cranbrook and Honiton through the stunning East Devon countryside”.
Mark Hodgson, Managing Director of Co Bikes said: “We're excited to be working in partnership with South Western Railway. The installation of our Co Bikes at two busy commuter train stations in the east of the county provides more options for those that are looking to travel more sustainably or those that are looking for an alternative option for that first and last mile of a journey.”
Rail Minister, Wendy Morton MP said: “These new bikes are a great win for people in Devon, and will provide them with a fitness boosting, and eco-friendly way to get about.”
Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, said: “It's encouraging to see the network of e-bikes continuing to grow right across the county, and the docking sites at these two railway stations are a great addition. I'm sure they'll be well used by rail passengers as well as providing the wider community with a sustainable travel option in Cranbrook and Honiton. Active travel forms part of the suite of solutions to improving connectivity and the County Council and SWR are striving to provide choice to rail users.”
Councillor Marianne Rixson, East Devon District Council's Portfolio Holder for Climate Action & Emergencies said: “These new e-bikes at Cranbrook and Honiton will afford both visitors and residents the opportunity to enjoy our wonderful countryside across East Devon at a more leisurely pace.
“These e-bikes are key in helping fulfil the Vision for Clean Growth and will help business visitors and commuters reduce reliance on the private car. As we work towards a net zero economy, businesses can reduce their carbon footprint through rail and e-bike connectivity, especially at Cranbrook where the e-bikes provide an important link to the Exeter and East Devon Enterprise Zone.”
Perhaps South Western Railway should continue on installing e-bikes facility at other stations on its network.