The installation of a temporary transport hub has begun at Victoria Embankment as part of a summer project encouraging more people in Nottingham to walk, wheel and cycle for local journeys.
New images show work under way on the pop-up mobility hub near 1881 Café, on the bank of the River Trent.
The hub, which is being installed and operated by national shared transport charity Collaborative Mobility UK (CoMoUK), will remain at Victoria Embankment for six weeks from 19 May before being moved to other parts of the city over the summer.
It will provide a base for a programme of active travel activities, including guided bike rides and walks, free bike maintenance classes, safety checks and cycle training. The project also has a particular focus on supporting people not in work, education or training by helping them access low-cost transport options.
The Victoria Embankment hub includes a small, moveable modular parklet with space for planting, seating, bike parking and a bike repair stand.
Mobility hubs bring together transport options and community services in one place, making it easier for people to travel without relying on a private car. They can link shared bikes, car clubs, public transport and other active travel options in key travel corridors.
Local charities RideWise and Runspire will run activities from the hub over the coming weeks. These include guided rides and walks, cycle training, free bike checks and maintenance sessions.
There will also be “build a bike” sessions for people not in work, education or training, with participants able to take their finished bikes home to help them travel to job interviews, training or courses.
People aged 18 and over will also be able to try Lime e-bikes, learn more about Nottingham’s Ride travel planning app and collect free cycle maps.
The hub is linked to Nottingham City Council’s Travel Well project, where GPs refer patients to services that promote active travel to improve mental and physical health. The scheme also supports people managing long-term health conditions and those experiencing social isolation.
The CoMoUK pop-up mobility hub project has been funded through a grant from the £1 million Active Travel Innovation Fund, administered by Active Travel England.
Richard Dilks, chief executive at CoMoUK, said: “We’re very excited about the launch of our new pop-up mobility hub in Nottingham and look forward to hearing how it is received by local residents.
“These small, simple and flexible pieces of transport infrastructure are brilliant at getting people to try active travel options, and they also have a lovely community feel to them.
“They reclaim space for sustainable, green and convenient modes of transport that is usually taken up by private cars, as well as helping to cut traffic congestion and carbon emissions.
“Permanent mobility hubs, which give people easy access to shared bikes, e-scooters and car clubs, can also create seamless links with public transport.”
Councillor Linda Woodings, executive member for regional development, growth and transport at Nottingham City Council, said: “We’re really excited for the opening of the first pop-up hub in Nottingham, which we hope lots of people will enjoy using over the summer as it moves around our city.
“We already do a great deal here to encourage people, whenever they can, to leave their cars at home and instead take advantage of the miles of dedicated cycle paths we have in Nottingham, or simply enjoy a walk in the fresh air.
“It fits in perfectly with our popular and established Travel Well scheme, which supports people to become more active, boost their mental and physical wellbeing, and manage long-term health conditions or address social isolation.”
Tiffany Bieeu, community project manager at RideWise, said: “RideWise is delighted to support the pop-up mobility hub at Victoria Embankment, and we’re really looking forward to meeting members of the local community over the coming weeks.
“Through guided rides, cycle training, bike maintenance sessions and access to e-bikes, we hope to help more people discover accessible, affordable ways to travel actively and build confidence cycling for everyday journeys.
“We’re especially pleased to support opportunities that help remove transport barriers for people accessing employment, training and community activities.”
