CYCLE42: a pop-up cycle hub for Merton
In partnership with Clarion Housing Group and Brompton Bike Hire, we are excited to be launching CYCLE42 - our sustainable community hub inspired by cycling, up-cycling and recycling to bring benefits to citizens, communities and the environment.
All three partners believe in the power of cycling to improve physical and mental health, and recognise its crucial role in making our communities more environmentally friendly.
We have been inspired by Brompton’s Wheels4Heroes campaign, which was formed in April 2020 to provide free cycle hire for NHS workers. With this new initiative, we hope to help improve the mental and physical health of Merton residents, break down the barriers into cycling and get more people travelling sustainably.
Located on our site at 42 Station Road in Colliers Wood, CYCLE42 is a new community hub providing space for cycling, up-cycling and recycling activities. First in line is our new Brompton Bike Hire programme, offering Merton residents the chance to hire a Brompton bike for 90 days, for free.
CYCLE 42 will create a new hub of community activity on a site which was in real need of activating. It will be great to see more people trying out cycling, and hopefully this will help people to make a permanent switch away from cars.
CYCLE42 is open to Merton residents who don’t have access to a bike, and in the initial rollout of the programme we’ll be prioritising Merton key workers in recognition of the invaluable service they have provided during the coronavirus pandemic.
Each Brompton Bike is available for hire at no cost for a period of 90 days. Thanks to Clarion Futures, the charitable foundation of Clarion Housing Group, each participant will also receive a helmet, high-vis vest and an information pack covering cycle safety and FAQs.
After the 90 days is up, residents may return the bike and if they wish to continue cycling, they'll be encouraged to buy an up-cycled bike from our charity partners, The Bike Project. Also based at 42 Station Road, The Bike Project repair and up-cycle second-hand bicycles, donating the majority to refugees and asylum seekers across London.
We have thousands of homes in Merton and are delighted to be working in partnership with Hadley and Brompton Bike Hire to launch a new initiative that will improve the health and wellbeing of our residents, through lockdown and beyond.
We will then give the Brompton bicycles to the next set of Merton residents wanting to participate. We will be running this programme for 12 months, aiming to enable around 200 local residents to take part in this exciting initiative.
If you're living in Merton and want to give cycling a go, visit www.cyclestationroad.co.uk to find out more, or get in touch!
