New community cycle hub opens at Preston station to help boost riding in city

• Avanti West Coast welcomes new cycle hub at Preston station
• Preston Pedals aims to improve access to cycling and get more people on bikes
• Hub designed to bring members and community together around inclusive cycling

A new cycle hub has been unveiled at Preston Station which aims to make riding around the city easier, safer and more inclusive. 

Preston Pedals, a not-for-profit cooperative-run organisation that helps people overcome barriers to cycling, opened its new premises near the station’s Butler Street entrance to deliver activities that support its mission to get more people on their bikes.

The opening of the space, with support from Avanti West Coast who manage the Lancashire station, came ahead of World Car Free Day (22 September).

Designed to be a welcoming place for people wanting to get active in Preston and beyond, the hub offers repairs, servicing as well as a space to meet and participate in activities. It also sells a range of refurbished bikes, parts and accessories alongside showcasing providing information about the work of local community groups and inclusive cycling.

Run by a dedicated team of committed volunteers who bring a wide range of skills from specialist mechanics to community development and leading bike rides, the hub is the first permanent base for Preston Pedals and its 38 co-op members. 

Avanti West Coast welcomed the group, which was founded in 2022, as a tenant as part of its commitment to working with local, responsible organisations that make a positive impact on society and enabling environmentally friendly travel options.

Supported by Preston City Council through funding, practical advice and access to storage for donated bikes at Argyll Road, Preston Pedals has expanded its activities, established its cycle hub, reinvested skills and resources locally. The partnership reflects the council’s commitment to Community Wealth Building by supporting organisations that benefit people and places.

Preston Pedals cooperative works to encourage more people to choose cycling as a sustainable transport option by making short everyday journeys under two miles, improve access to the activity generally and to recycle and reuse resources.

This includes restoring unwanted bikes that might otherwise end up in landfill, supporting people to fix their bicycles, producing commuting maps, offering a programme of led rides, and running the Spin Buddy scheme, which provides one-to-one support to help people build confidence and learn safe routes around Preston. 

By the end of 2025, Preston Pedals had delivered 120 bike repair sessions, welcomed 330 people on led rides, fixed 650 bikes and donated 60 cycles to members of the community.

This latest partnership follows the train operator’s support for a new path linking Preston station with cycle routes into South Ribble last year.   

Councillor Nweeda Khan, the Mayor of Preston, said: “It was wonderful to see the community, partners and supporters come together to celebrate the opening of the Preston Pedals Hub. After meeting the volunteers and seeing the facilities in action, it is clear that this is far more than a place for bikes.

“It is a welcoming community space where people can discover the joy of cycling by learning maintenance skills, accessing repairs and servicing, helping to upcycle old bicycles, planning cycle routes and joining local rides.

“I look forward to seeing Preston Pedals’ members and volunteers help more people enjoy the health, wellbeing and social benefits of cycling from their new home.”

Kathryn O’Brien, Customer Experience Director at Avanti West Coast, said: “It’s great to welcome Preston Pedals to the station and support their new hub, which will bring together members of the cycling community and help people discover the benefits of getting on a bike. Their work is focused on making cycling accessible and inclusive, and at Avanti West Coast we want to support community organisations that make a positive difference in the many regions we serve.

“Preston has a thriving cycling community, so we’re pleased the station can support and play a part in connecting people, encouraging active travel as well as helping locals or visitors explore the city’s cycle routes.

“By providing a dedicated space where people can access cycling information, services and activities, we hope to support the mission of Preston Pedals to get more people on bikes and inspire more sustainable journeys across the city.”

Julie Ridley, founding member of Preston Pedals, said: “Preston Pedals co-operative is all about bringing people together around bicycles. This means making sure the social enterprise is successful and relevant to the whole community. We are on a journey as a community interest company making ourselves more sustainable and being in the hub offers us a great opportunity to achieve our goals.

“The cycle hub is more than a ‘bike shop’. Although affordable and reliable bike repair services are important, it’s a place that brings people together, for members to meet and for community groups to promote their work for inclusive cycling.”

Councillor Valerie Wise, Cabinet Member for Community Wealth Building and Deputy Leader of Preston City Council, said: “Preston Pedals shows what can be achieved when local people work together to create something that benefits the wider community. Guided by co-operative principles and supported by local residents, volunteers and partners, the organisation demonstrates the value of community-led action.

“This new hub provides a permanent home for Preston Pedals and will help more people access cycling, learn new skills and make active travel part of everyday life. It is a valuable community asset that will support better health and wellbeing while contributing to a more sustainable Preston.

“I would like to congratulate everyone involved in bringing this project to life. I look forward to seeing Preston Pedals welcome more members and help more people across Preston enjoy the benefits of cycling.”

Councillor Phil Riley, Chair of the Transport Advisory Board for the Lancashire Combined County Authority said "It's great to see the launch of the Preston Pedals Bike Hub at Preston Railway Station. The hub complements a core Local Transport Plan policy to establish convenient and safe active travel options, and also ties in with proposed investment in our rail stations and services."  

Sir Mark Hendrick, MP for Preston, said: “I’m thrilled that local cycling co-operative Preston Pedals will have a new home in the form of a cycling hub at Preston station.

“I was pleased to officially open the Bike Hub at Preston Station ten years ago and it’s heartening to see that the cycling community in Preston has gone from strength to strength ever since.

“This is a wonderful initiative to encourage more people to use two wheels and will be a great place for cyclists to meet, access bike repairs and servicing, and to take part in activities.

“The train station is the ideal location for a community already dedicated to using green transport. I hope that now even more people will consider using a bike to get around and make good use of the transport links between the train station and the various cycle lanes that radiate and encircle the city.

“Congratulations to everyone involved, including Preston Pedals and Avanti West Coast, as well as inclusive cycling organisations Wheels for All and Preston Moves, who will be showcasing their work at the hub.”

ENDS