Bike hire scheme Bike & Go is encouraging people to try out cycling during this month’s Bike Week by offering free rentals to new subscribers.

The scheme, which has bike hire facilities on offer at 21 train stations across the Merseyrail network - including Ormskirk - will make bike rental free during Bike Week to all those who register between June 9-17.

The team hope that by waiving the usual rental fee of £3.80 per 24 hours, more would-be cyclists will be tempted to jump on a bike.

Cycling UK’s Bike Week aims to promote cycling for everyone by highlighting the social, health and environmental benefits of cycling.

Research shows that keeping physically active can reduce the risk of heart and circulatory disease by as much as 35% and risk of early death by as much as 30%.

It is a message that Bike & Go director, David O’Leary, is also continuously trying to share with those who don’t cycle.

He said: “Bike Week plays an important role in encouraging more people to get on a bike, and we’re delighted to support it by offering our own free bike hire.

“Cycling is extremely good for both mental and physical wellbeing, beneficial to the environment, and a fun way to spend a day with family and friends.

“We’re looking forward to seeing as many new subscribers as possible taking up our offer, so that more people can enjoy the benefits of cycling.”

Bike & Go offers bike hire facilities from 21 participating train stations across the Merseyrail network, including Liverpool Central, Moorfields, Aigburth, New Brighton, Southport and Formby, in addition to a further 49 participating train stations across much of the North West, North East and Yorkshire, East and South East of England, and Scotland.

In 2016 the scheme was praised by a UK division of the travel giant TripAdvisor when it was included in a list of the top seven bicycle hire companies drawn up by its subsidiary rental company Holiday Lettings.

To hire a Bike & Go bike, users simply need to register their card details online, which they can do via smart phones, tablets, or at home, and pay the annual £10 subscription fee. They will then receive a user number via email which will allow immediate bike hire – usually charged at just £3.80 per 24 hours up to a maximum of 72 hours - while they wait for their Bike & Go membership card.