RHS Garden Bridgewater launches free recycled bike share scheme

Visitors to RHS Garden Bridgewater can now enjoy free, sustainable travel between Walkden railway station and the garden thanks to a new bike-share scheme.

The new service aims to make it easier to choose public transport when planning a day at the garden, helping people bridge the final part of the journey between train and garden.

The bikes can be unlocked using a mobile phone at Walkden station and returned to a docking station at RHS Bridgewater, with the service free to use in both directions. The journey takes less than 20 minutes by bike, with more than half of the route travelling off- road through Parr Fold Park and along the RHS Greenway.

In keeping with RHS Bridgewater’s commitment to sustainability, every bike in the scheme has been refurbished rather than bought new. Visitors who travel without a car can also receive the RHS’s existing 30% discount on car-free garden admission, while Salford residents continue to benefit from free entry every Tuesday.

Chris Trolley, Sustainability Advisor at RHS Bridgewater, said: “We’re delighted to be part of a project that makes it easier and more enjoyable for people to visit the gardens while encouraging more sustainable travel choices. Using refurbished bikes reflects our commitment to reducing waste, making the most of existing resources, and supporting greener journeys, while helping more people enjoy everything the gardens have to offer”

The cycle-share scheme, one of just 12 initiatives selected for support through Active Travel England, has been delivered in partnership with Manchester Bikes, which refurbished and maintains the fleet, alongside smart docking technology provider Mosa Innovations. Independent evaluation is being carried out by shared transport charity CoMoUK.

Richard Armitage of Manchester Bikes added: “We’re proud to be working with RHS Bridgewater on a scheme that benefits both the local community and visitors to the garden. Refurbishing the bikes ourselves has allowed us to give quality bicycles a second life while creating a service that makes cycling a realistic option for many more people.”

As well as improving access to RHS Garden Bridgewater, the team says they hope that the project will demonstrate how attractions across the UK can encourage more sustainable travel by making it easier for visitors to complete the journey from public transport hubs. If successful, the scheme could offer a model for gardens, parks, heritage sites and other visitor destinations looking to reduce car dependency.

You can find out more about RHS Garden Bridgewater’s free bike share scheme here.

Keep in the know

Be the first to hear about all the best events and news in Manchester.

Sign up