A number of bike hangars have been installed in Bath as part of a two-year trial to provide secure on-street parking facilities for local residents.
The new hangars will provide lockable and secure storage for 24 bikes for residents living in Great Stanhope Street, New King Street and Sydney Buildings, who don’t have access to private cycle parking, such as a shed or garage.
The hangars will be maintained and operated by Falco, on behalf of Bath & North East Somerset Council, for the duration of the £30,000 two-year trial.
The scheme is being funded by the council’s Transport Improvement Plan.
Each hangar can accommodate six bikes, with each bike parking space costing £42 a year to rent, during the trial period.
Councillor Sarah Warren, deputy leader and cabinet member for Climate and Sustainable Travel, said: “We want to encourage more residents to leave the car at home and consider cycling instead, especially for short journeys around Bath, so we need to remove barriers which prevent people from owning and using a bike, by providing dedicated and secure cycle parking near their home.
“The bike hangars will not only enable more residents to cycle, they’re also another significant step towards reducing traffic congestion, improving air quality and achieving our goal of being carbon neutral by 2030.”
Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for Transport, said: “Residents have raised concerns about the need for secure on-street cycle parking, particularly in areas with a high volume of flats and no storage space inside, with their ward councillors and, most recently, as part of the ongoing Liveable Neighbourhoods programme.
“It is a real barrier to people buying a bike, especially an electric bike, if they can’t safely store it.
“The cost of renting a bike space in one of the secure hangars will be subsidised by the council, for the duration of the two-year trial.
“This means it will cost residents £42 per space, per year, which is only £3.50 a month, instead of £72 per year.
“The subsidies will be covered by charges from Bath’s Clean Air Zone, which aims to provide cleaner, healthier air for everyone to enjoy.”
Residents will be able to find out more about the new hangars or rent a space for their bike from 4th January at www.rentals.falco.co.uk.
