Commuters and visitors to Manchester will be able to hire a British hand-made folding Brompton bike from a Brompton Dock located just outside Piccadilly station.

With no restrictions on public transport and train operators allowing them on their network during peak hours, the Brompton bike could be set to become a mainstay on the streets in and around Manchester.

The cycle hire scheme at Manchester Piccadilly is in partnership with Virgin Trains.

The fully-automated docking station especially designed for folding bikes enables the storage of up to 40 Brompton bikes in a single car parking space.

A similar scheme was launched at Guildford Station in 2011 with South West Trains.

When members return the bike to the solar powered Brompton Dock, usage is calculated by the system and automatically charged to the member’s credit card at the end of each hire.

Members can also reserve a bike or a bay in the dock in advance to ensure they can always pick up and return their bike.

Brompton Dock membership

To become a member, users simply register by visiting www.bromptondock.co.uk from 10am Tuesday, 3 April 2012, and choose a suitable tariff.

Once registered, members will then be sent a personal four-digit pin number.

To take out a Brompton bike, all members need to do is send a text to 07800 008 078, including the dock number and their personal pin, following which they will receive a text with a bay number and an access code to take their bike out.

Members can then keep the bike for as long as they want, whether it’s for one hour, one week or even a year.

Norman Baker, Local Transport Minister, said: “I use a folding bike to get around London, especially when I need to get across to the House of Parliament quickly, so I know first-hand the benefits they bring.

“This innovation really showcases what can be achieved when transport providers come together to establish onward journey solutions for travellers.”

The Docks have been 100% manufactured in the UK by CHH CoNeX.