Funding Boost To Meet Growing Demand For Cycle Parking

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17 July 2019

A plan from Transport for London includes improved cycle parking outside 10 stations in the coming year, along with 1,400 new spaces in residential areas.

"Together with our investment in new high-quality routes, we are enabling more people to cycle as part of their everyday routine, making our streets cleaner and greener for everyone," said London's Walking and Cycling Commissioner Will Norman. "To ensure that every potential cycle trip in the capital begins and ends with a place to park, TfL are investing £2.5 million over the next year to boost the number of cycle parking spaces."

The investment comes after half of Londoners said lack of cycle parking is one of the main factors that deter them from cycling and a quarter are put off cycling by a fear of cycle theft.

TfL research shows more than half of stations in London either do not have any cycle parking or do not have enough spaces to cope with demand, despite cycling being at record levels.

Town centres in every London borough also need increased levels of cycle parking, with demand also high in residential areas where there is often a waiting list for spaces.

New routes

Construction on a major new route between Tower Bridge Road and Greenwich began on Friday July 5 and construction for a new route between Acton and Wood Lane began in April. TfL is currently inviting people to have their say on another two routes, between Hackney and the Isle of Dogs and Barking and Barking Riverside.

A TfL survey has revealed that cycling in London is at record levels with the average daily total distance cycled exceeding 4 million kilometres for the first time.

World's largest database

By creating the world's largest database of cycling infrastructure, TfL have worked out the areas of greatest need and how best to meet increasing demand.

Will Norman said: "working with London boroughs, Network Rail, rail operators, businesses and local communities, TfL will:

• "Improve cycle parking outside stations, with the aim of all stations outside Zone 1 to have a minimum of 20 cycle parking spaces within 50 metres of the station and a minimum of 30% spare capacity to help ensure that cyclists can find somewhere to park and that the station can meet future demand.

• "Ten stations will be brought up to this new benchmark in the coming year. TfL will also work with Network Rail to deliver cycle parking hubs and more space for Santander Cycles at rail termini.

• "Help deliver 1,400 new secure cycle parking spaces in residential areas over the coming year. London currently has 7,000 spaces in nearly 1,200 cycle hangars, although many boroughs currently have fewer than ten hangars.

• "Invest in new cycle parking across town centres, with eight town centres set to be improved over the coming year.

• "Enable more people to park bikes at their place of study. TfL will provide at least 80 schools and two universities with new cycle parking over the coming year.

• "Improve cycle parking facilities for visitors to hospitals, sports facilities, parks, museums and other places of interest.

• "Enable more people to commute to work by bike. TfL will share evidence and best practice with businesses and explore opportunities to reduce the complexity and costs of delivering cycle parking through a one-stop-shop procurement framework."

On your bike

'If people know there is good cycle parking at their local station or at their place of work, they are much more likely to use their bike," concluded Norman.

Future demand

Analysis shows there are currently 145,449 cycle parking spaces on London streets. At least 36,000 additional spaces are needed to meet current demand, with a further 12,000 spaces needed by 2025.

Picture: TfL will provide cycle parking outside 10 stations in the coming year, along with 1,400 new spaces in residential areas.

Article written by Brian Shillibeer | Published 17 July 2019

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