Bike hire scheme launched in Newbury

The scheme currently holds six bicycles – three for men, two for ladies and one for children, together with two child bike seats.
The Visitor Information Centre at Newbury Town Hall, which led the project and is where the bicycles will be stored, has space for a maximum of 10 bicycles, and plans to increase this number if demand is sufficient.
Explaining the inspiration behind the scheme Carolyn Taylor, tourism officer at the visitor information centre, said: “I have been here since 2009 and it was probably the one thing that most people asked for.
“We had enough bike space and I saw the opportunity to store the bikes and maintain them.”
John Joel, store manager of Banjo Cycles who supplied the bikes, said: “We were approached by Carolyn at the centre and we thought it was a really good idea.”
“The scheme is fantastic. People can investigate the surrounding area and enjoy the countryside on these bikes. Hopefully the fleet will grow as it gets busier,” he added.
Mrs Taylor, 43, who lives in Thatcham, herself a cycling enthusiast, regularly makes the three-mile journey to work at the visitor centre in Newbury by bike.
She said that anticipated that demand for the bikes was not something that could be quantified at this stage, but thought that it was “a useful service that could improve” given enough demand.
Cycling has enjoyed a surge in popularity recently, spurred in part by the recent Tour de France and the upcoming Tour of Britain, which will pass through West Berkshire on the sixth stage of the national cycling race.
Mrs Taylor said: “Generally cycling is really at the forefront of people’s minds at the moment so it is really good timing.”
Councillor Roger Hunneman who was also at the launch said: “I hope that it takes off and that they will have more bikes in the future.”
Spokesperson for West Berkshire Council Joanne Bassett said that there was certainly “a gap in the market as there is no one else who hires bikes in the area” and that the town hall premises are the “perfect secure location to hire bikes from”.
All the bikes are equipped with a bell, reflectors, bottle cage, pump and a repair kit that includes a spare inner tube, tyre lever and a multitool. They also come with a lock and helmet.
Day hire for the bicycles operates between 10am and 4.30pm Monday to Saturday until September 30 and 10am – 3.30pm from October 1 until March 31.
Prices are £14 per adult and £7 per child, and an additional £3.50 for a child seat, and are collected and returned at the centre.