PEDAL power has just become easier in Musselburgh thanks to a new bike hire locker on the Queen Margaret University (QMU) campus.

Eight folding bikes are available to hire at £5 for 24 hours and for up to 60 days at a time.

The bikes can be booked up to 24 hours in advance by using the Brompton app, which can be downloaded from the Brompton website. For a limited time, the bikes can be hired for three days completely free of charge by using the discount code ‘Sestran2024’.

The new bike hire locker, on the campus near the town’s train station, is available to the public and has been made possible thanks to funding from Transport Scotland.

Brian Butler, South East of Scotland Transport Partnership (SEStran) director, said: “We’re delighted that public bike hire is available for the people of Musselburgh to use.

“Not only will this help people make healthier travel choices but is also another step towards helping deliver the region’s contribution to net-zero emissions targets.

“By making these bikes free of charge for the first three days of hire, we hope that many people will take up the chance to try one out and see if cycling works for them.”

SEStran project officer Beth Harley-Jepson using one of the bikes in front of the new locker at Queen Margaret University. Photo: Greg Macvean 

Professor Richard Butt, deputy principal at Queen Margaret University, added: “We are committed to supporting sustainable travel, so we are delighted that the addition of Brompton bike lockers at QMU will provide our students and staff with more active travel options.

“Hopefully, this will help to reduce the number of car journeys made in our area by staff and students, and will also provide an affordable and flexible way for students to travel to part-time work opportunities which they may have in the city.

“At Queen Margaret University, we are fortunate to have access to many cycle routes, as well as being conveniently located close to attractive beaches and countryside routes, so the Brompton bikes may also encourage students to explore the stunning coast and countryside pathways of East Lothian and Edinburgh.”

Once the hire period has ended, the bikes can be returned to any Brompton bike locker, including the recently installed locker at Sheriffhall Park & Ride in Midlothian.

A map of all Brompton bike locker locations is available at BromptonHire.com