Rollout of secure on-street bike parking in Edinburgh set to double in size

A project to roll out secure on-street cycle parking across Edinburgh is set to be boosted with a further 1,200 spaces in the next two years - subject to funding - in response to increasing demand.

Contractors Cyclehoop Ltd started installing covered bike storage containers around the city in January 2019 with the intention of providing 180 units - equating to 1,080 bike parking spaces - over their five year contract. Six bikes can be parked in each unit.

The idea is to create safe, accessible ground level storage for bikes, particularly in tenement areas, with the scheme aiming to encourage more people to cycle.

To date, 108 units have been installed with a 91 percent occupancy rate (591 users) and 476 people on the waiting list for a space. Requests have also been received for units at 206 new locations, with around 14 requests every week.

The rollout of Edinburgh's bike storage containers is set to double in size. Pic: Edinburgh City Council

On Thursday last week, Edinburgh City Council’s transport and environment committee approved proposals to increase the scope of the Cyclehoop contract to add an extra 50 locations - 100 storage containers with two units at each - per year over the next two years. This will be subject to match-funding from Sustrans, a walking and cycling charity.

This would provide 1,200 extra spaces - more than double the number currently being introduced.

Councillors Lesley Macinnes, transport and environment convener, said: “I’m delighted that we’re now going to be able to double the secure cycle storage units being installed across the city, subject to funding.

“When this project was first approved, it aimed to resolve issues around theft and the storage of bikes in stairwells, in turn making cycling a more attractive, convenient way to travel. Over the past year we’ve seen so many people realising the benefits of cycling, and I hope this decision will encourage even more people to take it up.”

The committee first approved the introduction of secure cycle parking in ten to 15 locations per year over a three-year period in 2016 after a successful trial. The scope of the scheme was doubled and accelerated to finish over a two-year period in 2018.

Cycle storage costs users £6 a month in addition to an initial deposit.

Find out more about bike parking on the council’s website.

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