OVER recent months I have noticed a marked increase in the number of people using their bicycles to travel to and from the local train stations in Harrogate.

However, the inability to park one's bicycle at our train stations is becoming increasingly frustrating.

Harrogate train station's small bicycle rack, situated under the stairs on platform 1, is usually full by 7.30 most weekday mornings, forcing subsequent cyclists to chain their bikes to any spare railing they can find.

The landscaping work and bridge at Hornbeam Park has been completed, but the small bicycle rack has been completely removed and now there is nowhere to lock one's bike up, other than against the pavement railings or lampposts.

With the increase in fuel costs, the trend in cycle use linked to commuting is likely to increase, especially throughout the coming summer months.

Will the rail authorities be proactive to this and provide adequate facilities, or do they think that Harrogate people are too posh to pedal?