newy.com.au – The Newcastle Cycleways Movement has launched a campaign calling for secure bicycle parking at Hunter train stations, saying the region has been left with just six bike lockers across two locations and no secure bike sheds.
The group’s new “Lock It In, Newcastle” campaign encourages residents, commuters and rail users to ask Transport for NSW for modern bike lockers and bike sheds at local stations, in an effort to show demand for better bike-and-ride facilities across the region.
Newcastle Cycleways Movement says the issue highlights a long-running gap in the Hunter’s transport network, where secure bicycle parking remains limited despite years of transport planning, station upgrades and active transport strategies. The group says basic bike racks or hoops are not enough for whole-day storage for people who want to ride to a station and continue their journey by train.
NCM says Sydney and Greater Sydney now have about 824 bike lockers across 108 locations and around 45 secure bike sheds available to commuters, while the Hunter has only six lockers and no sheds.
President Nev Jones said the comparison raised an obvious question.
“How did the Hunter end up with only six bike lockers while hundreds have been installed elsewhere across New South Wales?”
“This isn’t a new issue. Secure bike parking has appeared in transport discussions, planning documents and community advocacy for many years. Yet for reasons that are not entirely clear, the Hunter has seen very little delivered on the ground.”
The organisation says secure bike parking is one of the most cost-effective ways to connect active transport with public transport, allowing people to ride to a station, leave their bicycle safely and complete their trip by train.
NCM believes Newcastle Interchange, Hamilton, Broadmeadow, Cardiff, Waratah and Fassifern would be logical candidates for future secure parking facilities, along with other stations across the region.
“The Hunter has invested heavily in transport infrastructure over the years, including major station upgrades and the Newcastle Interchange,” Jones said.
“But despite all that investment, someone wanting to ride to most stations and leave a bike securely at the station still has very few options.”
Jones said the campaign was aimed at building a clearer evidence base for future investment and encouraging discussion about transport priorities in Newcastle and the Hunter.
“We think there is a positive story here. The infrastructure exists elsewhere. The model works. The question is how we make sure the Hunter is included.”
“There is a bigger story here about how transport projects are prioritised and how regional communities access the same opportunities available in metropolitan areas,” Jones said.
“For now, we’re focused on a simple ask: if modern, secure bike parking would make a difference to your travel choices, let Transport for NSW know.”
NCM is urging people who would use secure bike parking at train stations to register their interest through the campaign and submit requests to Transport for NSW.
“The next bike locker or bike shed in the Hunter will only happen if people ask for it,” Jones said.
“And if enough people ask, decision-makers will have a much clearer picture of the demand that already exists.”
