National Cycle Rail Awards 2015 Sponsored by Cyclepods Foreword

Cycle-rail continues to be an industry provided a safe and secure environment for This year our judging panel have had the success story. This year 38 million cyclists or put strategies in place to deliver difficult task of deliberating to select some rail journeys included a bike, which a seamless journey experience. Being very worthy winners. I would like to take is a staggering 66% increase since customer-focused has been a common the time to thank the panel, as well as our 2009/10. The industry as a whole is fully thread throughout this year’s entries. partners and all those involved in delivering recognising the need for smarter travel some of the best schemes we have seen options that completely encompass This event gives credit to all the rail to date. I would also like to congratulate our passengers’ needs. Operators organisations and their partners who are this year’s winners and we hope that these and Network Rail are delivering cycle striving to make cycle-rail travel a success. innovative facilities will continue to inspire improvements across their networks, The aim is to share best practice as well as people to take up cycle-rail as part of their ensuring that high-quality infrastructure celebrate and promote the work completed seamless door-to-door journey. is in place to support the anticipated to encourage the greater use of cycles to increase in cycle-rail journeys. access the railway. Paul Plummer Chief Executive of RDG and ATOC The Rail Delivery Group recognises this The high quality of submissions and has set out its vision for stations: to demonstrates the importance of cycle-rail acknowledge the importance of stations improvements and how they can contribute in the overall customer experience, to to providing a door-to-door journey solution. establish the future role and contribution In a number of this year’s applications of stations within the industry, and to focus customers have commented on how on an increasingly mobile population, fundamental these changes have been to innovative use of technology and the both their leisure and commuter journeys, involvement of communities. and this has been reflected in a number of passenger satisfaction surveys. ‘Our vision is for Britain’s stations to be places which are inclusive and welcoming, The rail industry has delivered great and which encourage everyone to travel cycle-rail improvements and we hope to by rail. This vision will be enabled by those see applications in 2016 that showcase working at the station, by the innovative use how it has further pushed the boundaries of technology, and by the involvement of the to champion sustainable travel as part of communities which stations serve.’ seamless rail journeys. ATOC continues to work in partnership with the UK government The principles underpinning this vision through the Cycle Rail Working Group, are directly delivered through the work overseeing an existing programme of £15 recognised in the Cycle Rail Awards. The million for cycle-rail. This will help to make winners have all made significant progress these changes a reality. towards encouraging integrated cycle-rail travel in a variety of ways. Many have Awards Background

The Cycle Rail Awards showcase initiatives, partnerships best practice examples of transformative cycle-provision. The and improvements taking place across the country which are 2015 Awards have been judged by a panel of experts from the boosting the facilities and opportunities for people to combine cycle-rail industry in ten strongly contested categories that cycling with their rail travel. The Awards strive to recognise: recognise the community, partnership, innovation and influence progress made by the rail industry and associated organisations of sustainable travel around the UK. towards innovative solutions in cycle provision and security, individuals paving the way to more sustainable travel, and

In thanks and recognition: Sustrans, the Department for Transport and Sharon Goodsell We would like to thank the All Party Network Rail. Head of Cycling and Walking Policy, Parlimentary Cycling Group for their Department for Transport continued support and partnering of the Judging for the 2015 awards was carried event. out by: Conrad Haigh Tom Bogdanowicz Head of Integrated Transport, Association of Thanks to our Headline Sponsor Senior Policy and Development Officer, Train Operating Companies Cyclepods and our individual sponsors London Cycling Campaign and supporters: Carol McKinley Martyn Brunt Operations Director/Deputy Chief Executive, Abellio CTC Bike Register National Cycling Network Development Manager, Sustrans Bicycle Association of Great Britain Mark Peyton East Midlands Trains Phillip Darnton OBE Project Manager, TfL Rail, Transport for Garmin London Great Western Railway Executive Director, The Bicycle Association Passenger Transport of Great Britain and Chair of the Cycle-Rail Working Group Mark Trevethan Transport for London Principal Strategy Planner – Cycling, Virgin Trains Martin Key Transport for London Campaigns Manager, British Cycling In addition, we would like to thank our Robert Jack partners for their continued support and Manging Editor & Publisher, Passenger assistance in the delivery and judging of Transport these awards: British Cycling, CTC, London Cycling Campaign, Passenger Transport, Category 1 Best Customer Service Sponsored by Great Western Railway Winner: South West Trains – Looking after Ride London

“A delightful event.” “A proactive Train Operating Company.”

South West Trains showed their An Extremely Well Organised Event were operating in the area. A standby train commitment to customer service by Based on user experiences in previous was made available at Wimbledon depot in looking after passengers during the annual years, key locations, train services and the event of any overcrowding. Prudential Ride London event, a two day line of routes were identified and special festival of cycling. With tens of thousands arrangements were planned. Station Not only were scheduling changes made of spectators and cyclists coming into the Managers and staff were assigned to key but customer service was further improved city and Surrey, extra capacity on trains stations in order to monitor crowd levels with a letter provided for cyclists riding the was needed and information had to be at stations and on trains. Any issues that event. It informed them of how to use South provided on key sites to view the race and arose were co-ordinated through the West Trains services to return to a point how to get there by bike. South West Trains Waterloo Integrated Control Centre which where they could be picked up if they felt were proactive and well organised, keeping liaised with the Transport for London Event unable to carry on. It is a perfect example customers informed at all stages of their Control. Infrastructure maintenance and of thinking beyond passenger numbers to journey, with the result being fleet engineering staff were made available really help people with their journeys. “A delightful event”. in the London Metropolitan area in order to respond quickly to any rail related issues. A Positive Impact A significant amount of planning went into As expected, trains were very busy during managing passengers attending Ride South West Trains strengthened all Main, Ride London. However, thanks to the London and South West Trains worked Outer and Windsor line suburban services meticulous planning and organisation, closely with Transport for London, Local from the 08:00 arrivals in Waterloo. In passenger expectations were met on Authorities, British Transport Police and addition, mainline services from Poole, the day and no delays or complaints of Network Rail. To coordinate arrangements Portsmouth and Salisbury directions overcrowded rail services were reported. for additional/extended trains, staff had increased capacity. Recognising the planning at stations and dealing with importance of Esher at the centre of the The fact that day-to-day operations and customer queries, South West Trains cycle course, extra stops were made on business activities continued, additional created a briefing pack that was used as a Waterloo to Basingstoke services. Additional passengers were catered for and customer management tool throughout the company. trains were also provided to Kingston since service levels were high, reflected positively road closures meant that virtually no buses on the reputation of South West Trains.

Category 2 Partnership Working and Local Government Schemes Sponsored by Virgin Trains Winner: Arriva Trains Wales – Improvements to Cycle Provision at Chester Railway Station

“Ambitious” “Very good project delivering great benefits and future-proofing for cycle users”

This is a great example of working in “With these new double-decker racks not Highly Commended: partnership to significantly improve cycle only are there plenty of spaces for the Southern – Hassocks Station provision and security at a Grade 2 listed current numbers of cyclists catching trains, station. Arriva Trains Wales’ overarching but they are far easier to access than Hassock’s new cycle hub building is an aim was to encourage the use of cycles before.” excellent example of partnership working. to access Chester Railway Station by Not only have organisations come together increasing cycle parking, and reducing cycle Simon Brown for joint input and funding, the hub also crime in the process. By encouraging cycle- (cyclist and regular commuter to Wrexham) provides dedicated space for a cycle hire rail usage, the secondary aim was to reduce and repair service. congestion on local roads and minimise overcrowding in car parks. The project was managed by Southern and funded by the DfT, with contributions Arriva Trains Wales worked closely with from West Sussex County Council, South Network Rail after they were jointly awarded Downs National Park and the Hassocks funding to carry out the improvement Community. Stakeholders were consulted scheme. This involved creating new during design, construction and the designated and covered cycle storage areas marketing stages. and replacing existing hoop storage with two tier racks. The result was that capacity The hub provides additional cycle spaces was doubled. This was combined with better with ability to provide further capacity in access, improved signage and additional the future. A community group which had CCTV. previously worked out of a shed in a car park, also hires out bikes which are ideal for Success those visiting in the South Downs National There were a number of successful Park. outcomes: The project and community group have • A reduction in cycle-related crimes at the received a range of positive feedback since station – from 13 thefts in 2011 and 9 in the work was completed: 2013 to only 2 so far this year. • An increase in cycle-rail usage, 80+ cycles “A wonderful way to spend a sunny day and stored at the station per day explore the community of Hassocks!” • An increase in cycle-rail user satisfaction “Very friendly, good tips on where to go.”

Category 3 Innovation Sponsored by Abellio Winner: Citymapper – Journey Planning App

“Life-changing” “Great app” “An innovative website.”

Citymapper is a smartphone app A game-changer Highly Commended: which helps people to navigate around The project came about after Citymapper Cyclehireinfo.com complex cities, making best use of all realised that cycle share schemes were The UK cycle hire directory the transportation options available to often ignored by online trip planners and www.cyclehireinfo.com was launched in them. The aim was to use the cycle hire treated as separate entities rather than part June 2011 with the simple aim to make it infrastructure to suggest routes which are of the integrated transit network. easier for people to hire bikes. The objective quicker than alternatives planned using was to have all cycle hire providers in the other modes such as bus, rail or metro only. A simplistic approach would have been UK listed on the website so they could be to offer cycle hire suggestions as a direct found quickly and more people would use Information at the touch of a button replacement for the first or last walking them. The app is currently available in 23 cities leg when the location of the cycle dock around the world, in 7 languages, with permitted. However this app doesn’t work The website was designed to encourage more locations being added every month. like that, it considers completely new people to consider how they could access It is designed to answer travel questions routes that cycle hire opens up. Instead cycle hire facilities available through public from commuters, tourists and locals alike. of the expected route it may suggest an transport. Listings have been created by Users can plan an integrated journey and improvement such as a traveller getting off using intelligence from Google’s public see the benefits of different travel methods, the train earlier to pick up a bike, or taking a transport information function. for example, how much a taxi would cost completely unexpected rail or tube route. versus cycling, and how many calories Impressively, the project was self-funded could be burned. The app was described by one of the award and set up by people in their spare time. judges as: Income is generated through levying a small The app includes timetables, real-time charge for listing cycle hire services. information and journey times. This allows “A highly impressive and popular journey users to plan ahead, check departures, planning solution that truly integrates rail There are now 200 cycle hire providers and be informed of incidents or planned with cycling, and other modes. A game- listed, including small independent traders changes. changing innovation.” as well as multi-site providers such as Brompton Bike Hire and Bike and Go. There were more than 50,000 visits to the site in 2014.

Category 4 Cycle Champion Sponsored by Bicycle Association Winner: East Midlands Trains – Jonny Wiseman

“He has transformed his train operating “Knows how to get a company’s approach to cycling and the strong result.” journeys of many rail users.”

Jonny Wiseman was told to “sort bikes” given a cycle related project as part of Highly commended at East Midlands Trains. That is exactly their course, and that regular engagement South West Trains - Malcolm Page what he’s done. He has been credited with between East Midlands Trains and cyclists Malcolm Page has been the Station revolutionising the company’s attitude and are taking place. Development Manager at South West response to cycle-rail and for having carried Trains for the last 12 years, taking the out work that will deliver benefits to users Jonny led the response by East Midlands lead on ensuring cycle facilities are at the for years to come. Trains to the Tour de France in Yorkshire forefront of station developments. and ensured a world-class service was Jonny has led work on a series of delivered to all those who travelled with As Rail Industry Station Designer of the successful improvements for cyclists East Midland Trains. The result was a Year 2010, he has always shown flair and across the network, both at stations and festival atmosphere at Sheffield for the creativity for cycle schemes. He has taken on trains. He has overseen the delivery of weekend and thousands of delighted the lead on innovative station initiatives two outstanding cycle hubs at Sheffield and customers. such as Woking Cycle Hub, South West Leicester, which required him to overcome Trains’ first Cycle Hub, and their first double some complex issues with a range of Great changes have been made to the deck racking at Guildford. stakeholders. cycle-rail provision at East Midlands Trains thanks to Jonny. He has taken thinking Malcolm has always worked with Putting cycling first about cycles within the company from an stakeholders in a collaborative and As well as the physical works Jonny has after-thought to a point where they are partnership approach to encourage delivered, he has: ensured that cycle seen as an integral part of the customer greater cycle usage to stations. He has shops are operated by local SMEs, that experience. had considerable success in ensuring East Midlands’ cycle hubs are free, that all stakeholders see South West Trains as one Management Development Trainees were of the ‘go to’ train operators in delivering cycle schemes at stations.

Category 5 Door to Door Journeys including Station Travel Plans Sponsored by East Midlands Trains Winner: Northern Rail – An integrated approach to cycling in Greater Manchester

“A scheme which provides cycle facilities “Transformed the across the region.” station, with a good

Northern Rail has won the ‘Door to Door key city centre locations. Northern Rail cycle-rail delivery.” Journeys’ award for its work with Transport recognised the value of this programme for Greater Manchester to develop a and created an additional six cycling hubs Highly Commended: fully integrated cycling scheme across at stations, helping to deliver a more fully South West Trains – Wokingham station the region. The scheme provides safe integrated cycling proposition across South West Trains took a partnership and secure storage for bikes at multiple Greater Manchester – a truly door-to-door approach to the re-building of Wokingham locations, all linked by a single registration solution. Station in 2013/14 with the result being a card, helping to provide customers with transformation of the site with a focus on an easy-to-use cycle storage scheme. Better by bike sustainable travel options. The point-to-point solution across the Registered cycle users are able to whole of Manchester links homes, stations access all of the “family” of cycle hubs, Wokingham station was re-built with a new and locations with any type of business including those at Northern Rail stations, accessible footbridge, a re-configuration of and leisure journey – a truly flexible and by using a single “Better by Bicycle” card the forecourt, a new bus interchange, plus integrated approach for cyclists. available through the Transport for Greater increased provision for cycles. Underpinning Manchester’s website. The result is that this was a Station Travel Plan to support the Improving connections 60% of members have cycled more since principle of achieving a modal shift from the Northern Rail is committed to improving using the hubs, with 45% of these making car to sustainable transport. route connectivity, the quality and the switch from a car. The scheme has availability of cycle parking, and increasing 477 registered members and reports 1,636 South West Trains worked closely with security and signage in and around stations. entries to the hubs since 2015. stakeholders, engaging with the council Creating cycling hubs across the Greater to establish future aspirations. As a result, Manchester area enables cyclists to have the station is now modern and attractive, access to safe, secure cycle parking at providing full accessibility to passengers and residents in the Wokingham area.

Since the work has been completed, cycle usage at the station has increased. Cycling has seen a 130% increase and the National Rail Passenger Survey has shown that there has been an 89% improvement in the passenger satisfaction score.

Category 6 London Cycle Parking Sponsored by Transport for London Winner: London Borough of Waltham Forest – Mini Holland Programme

“Well located, well executed, visible and “Cycle parking where welcoming.” people want it.”

The 2015 London Cycle Parking award The cycle racks are in bespoke Highly commended goes to the London Borough of Waltham contemporary designed housing. The Southern – Sutton station Forest for its role in the Mini Holland whole shelter is hot dip galvanised and The new cycle facilities at Sutton have Programme. The TfL-funded scheme then polyester powder coated in the Cycle greatly improved the station and have aims to encourage people to cycle more Waltham Forest colours. played a part in helping meet the Council’s safely and more often by providing better vision of creating a more attractive gateway environments and facilities for everyone. Looking to the future to the town. Southern worked with Transport The programme specifically targets There are 80 cycle parking spaces at for London and Sutton Borough Council to people who make short car journeys in Walthamstow Central and 50 spaces at deliver an improved cycle parking facility, outer London which could have otherwise Leytonstone Station. When complete the increasing parking to 144 spaces, using two been easily cycled. A key element of this whole programme will provide an additional tier parking racks, whilst providing access to strategy is linking commuter areas within 432 secure spaces more than the current maintenance and repair services. the borough, via safe cycle routes, to high provision of cycle racks within the borough. quality cycle parking facilities at railway Six more hubs will be installed by 2016. As a result of the joint work, passengers stations. also benefit from the new cycle racks and a Since the scheme’s implementation there repair stand. The cycle storage is aimed at A bespoke design has been an increase in cycle usage giving the public exactly what they want and Falco UK Ltd was appointed to provide at stations and the London Borough of need, making their journeys to and from the the design, manufacture and installation of Waltham Forest is aiming to extend the station easier by bicycle. cycle hubs for the scheme. The purpose facilities as they fill up. was to provide additional cycle spaces The new facility complements the look at railway stations, thereby reducing bike of the station and developed Sutton as theft and increasing the number of people a modern London station, focused on choosing to travel by bike. supporting sustainable travel as part of rail journeys.

Category 7 Cycle Security Award Sponsored by Passenger Transport Winner: British Transport Police – Operation Lock-It

“Demonstrates effective reduction in “Good promotion of crime.” the cycle security Operation Lock-It is an innovative project Crime prevention advice is also dispensed which channels funds seized from criminals regarding the most effective methods of message.” into cycle security for rail users. Launched securing cycles. Participants have their Highly commended in 2014 by British Transport Police, it cycle security-marked and registered on Merseyrail – Cycle Roadshow has been rolled out across South East Bike Register. England by officers from Cambridge to Merseyrail has been highly commended Bournemouth. It has been extremely well The promotion of security marking and for its cycle roadshows where people were received by cycle-rail users and has already the registration of cycles greatly assists given free fobs to access secure cycle had a significant impact in reducing cycle police in identifying recovered cycles and storage. crime. restoring them to their owners. Additionally it improves prosecution rates and acts as an The project came about due to innovative Stopping thieves increased deterrent to thieves. thinking on ways to combat theft on the network. Secure cycle storage with CCTV is Around 10% of all recorded crime on the rail Lower crime levels available at almost all Merseyrail stations, network relates to cycle offences. A major however crime still exists. Recognising this, contributing factor to this is thieves targeting Since the project began, there has been a the Roadshow idea was born. poorly secured cycles. Research shows that reduction in recorded cycle crime at stations victims will often give up cycling following across the South East. For example, at The Roadshows were held at Merseyrail their cycle being stolen. surgeries in Brighton, Hove, Hassocks stations in collaboration with British and Haywards Heath (historical cycle Transport Police who tagged bikes, Operation Lock-It is designed to crime hotspots) over 179 D-locks have Sustrans who provided expert cycling complement the cycle security surgeries been issued, linked to a 50% year-on-year advice, and Merseyside Cycling Campaign already jointly run by police and rail staff. reduction in cycle crime at these locations who carried out surveys to build a better Regular cycle-rail users (e.g. season between April and September 2015. profile of cycling customers. Merseyrail ticket holders) are supplied with a brand gave out the security fobs. new D-lock completely free of charge. Information in the form of 2000 bike hangers were also placed on cycles outside of compounds and social media was used to promote the events.

More than 100 fobs were given out to new customers and more than 100 bikes were tagged.

Category 8 Station of the Year Sponsored by All Party Parlimentary Cycling Group Winner: Southern – Brighton

“Every hub should aspire to this.” “Good consideration of cyclists’ needs.” Southern has won Station of the Year for Ambitious and collaborative Brighton for the introduction of a new cycle The project had an ambitious set of hub with outstanding facilities for cyclists as objectives and while the range of partners, Highly commended well as the wider community. Judges said it including local businesses, BUPA and South West Trains – Woking was “the standard that all operators should Railway Heritage Trust, combined to make Woking Station has been highly be aiming for” and that “Every hub should the project a success, the end result is commended due to the significant aspire to this”. testament to Southern Rail’s support and improvements it has undergone with a leadership. new cycle hub that was built in 2014. The A transformation Hub allows 216 cycles to be parked in a Just over a year ago Brighton station only The project has had some great feedback. covered compound with CCTV and the free had 250 cycle spaces. Most of the cycle Former Minister Baroness Kramer said: use of tools and a tyre pump. Real-time parking was exposed to the elements and screens show rail, bus and general cycle in some areas of the station it was filled to “We are serious about getting people on information. capacity. their bike and this fantastic facility will make it easier and more convenient for people to A Brompton bike dock was also installed The introduction of a new cycle hub has cycle to and from their station. Cyclists will in September 2013 with 40 bikes transformed a derelict area of Network Rail be able to leave their bike with confidence available to hire. The Brompton bikes are land to create a super-hub containing an knowing it will be safe and secure.” interchangeable between the docks and additional 500 cycle spaces, with a range of can be hired or dropped off at Woking and facilities. These include a cycle repair and Guildford Docks. maintenance workshop, a coffee shop, new keep fit facilities offering classes such as After the initial opening of the cycle hub the yoga and spinning, a rentable office space, facilities were at 100% capacity. Brompton a roof terrace area and showers/changing Dock has seen an average usage of 17% rooms. in 2015 and has a membership base of over 150 people. This is a rise in nearly 60 members this year so far.

Due to the project’s success, Surrey County Council and South West Trains have submitted a bid for further funding to double the size of this facility.

Category 9 Operator of the Year Sponsored by Bike Register Winner: Merseyrail

“A forward-thinking Operating Company.” “The largest number of cycle-rail journeys Merseyrail has delivered great cycle 1500 subscribers and hires on average 150- improvements to win the highly-regarded 250 bikes each month. of any Operator in the Operator of the Year category. Merseyrail is also the only UK train operator UK.” The secure cycle storage network and Bike involved in the EU BiTiBi project set up to & Go bike hire scheme play an integral part deliver better cycle-rail integration. BiTiBi Highly commended in the customers’ journey and provides a supports the delivery of secure facilities, South West Trains seamless door-to-door experience. With public bike hire, and integrated IT systems The number of cycle-rail journeys on South these facilities Merseyrail is making more with the purpose of uniting the bicycle and West Trains is by far the largest of any destinations accessible by train, meaning train. The project exchanges best practice Train Operating Company’s in the UK, the bike provides added value to the train across EU cycle and rail organisations. representing over 3% of all journeys on the operator. Judges were impressed with Merseyrail’s network. willingness to learn from others and their Impressive coverage openness in encouraging constructive Partnership working with the Association Secure cycle facilities started in 2010 at a criticism of their own projects, with a view to of Train Operating Companies, the handful of stations. Five years on there are continuous improvement. Department for Transport, Transport for now more than 2000 secure cycle spaces. London, and local authorities has resulted Soon these secure cycle compounds will A worthy winner in 1000 extra cycle spaces and upgraded cover 100% of stations on their network. Further projects for 2015/16 include more facilities in the last twelve months, including The cycle storage units are undercover, cycle storage at 3 stations, enhanced the Woking Hub. This has been supported have CCTV, and are accessed free of signing for cyclists across the Merseyrail with a more effective management of on- charge with security fobs. network and Bike & Go at two more board cycle restrictions, reducing the need stations. The company’s cycling strategy for further restrictions to be implemented. Merseyrail manages a national bike hire has been integrated into the overarching With the current programme of cycle scheme (Bike & Go) on behalf of the 4 marketing strategy to provide added facilities, South West Trains will have over Abellio Operating Companies. Bike & Go exposure, and promote the door-to-door 10,000 cycle spaces in the coming year. was established in August 2013 at 15 journey. stations and is now available at more than South West Trains has also carried out 60 stations nationwide. It has more than a number of station surgeries and has engaged with customers via social media.

Cycle activity to and from stations has been clearly promoted and cycles on trains catered for. South West Trains continues to develop new ideas and strategies to allow more cyclists to access the rail network.

Category 10 Cycle-Rail Photograph Competition Sponsored by Garmin Winner: South West Trains – Phil Dominey for ‘Flamme Rouge’

“The best shot technically and compositionally.”

Just like the flamme rouge of the Tour de This photo illustrates how vital rail was in France, the train ‘flies’ overhead. welcoming and looking after thousands of spectators and cyclists around London The flamme rouge or red kite is usually and Surrey. The setting is Kingston and the displayed a kilometre before the finish line riders are passing an inward-bound South of a race, suspended over the road. It marks West Trains service with approximately a that you’re nearly there, almost at your kilometre to go until it reaches the station. destination. Overall, judges thought this to be an Shot during the Prudential Ride London excellent photo, well-staged and very event, this image captures the essence of colourful. Ultimately it captures a nice the cycle-rail journey. While the spectator moment in time – a moment travelling by watches cyclists whoosh past, it is clear train, by bike and to a world-class festival of many others have arrived by bike before cycling. him to enjoy the day.

“Captures a nice moment.”