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Cycle-rail journeys hit 50 million

Cycle-rail journeys are rapidly becoming one of the UK's biggest cycle success stories - the latest figures show that such journeys are now at 50 million a year - up 40 per cent in six years.

Cycle-rail journeys where a bike is parked at a station are up 75 per cent since 2010 and the number of cycle spaces at rail stations has risen from 25,000 to more than 64,000 in five years. That number is to rise to 75,000 in 2017.

The Rail Delivery Group (RDG) has used the impressive figures to highlight PlusBike, the information portal where people can find out about cycle-friendly train travel. It details station cycle facilities, including parking spaces, rules about taking bikes on trains, whether reservations are available or required and - of note to bike traders - links to local cycle hire businesses.

^Record numbers of people are getting on their bikes as part of their rail journeys," explained Jacqueline Starr, RDG MD of Customer Experience. "We have more cycle spaces at stations than ever before, and PlusBike shows people just how easy it is to take your cycle to the station or on the train, helping cycles play a key part of the customer journey.

^It^s great to see cycle-rail^s growth in popularity, and train operators and Network Rail are doing lots to improve facilities, working with government and local authorities.^

Last year the Department for Transport allocated ^14.5million to improve cycle facilities at railway stations.

The RDG and Cycle-Rail Working Group have also published new guidance for train and station operators, with the Cycle Rail Toolkit 2, sharing best practice.