Low-traffic neighbourhoods and a continued rise in cycle sales pushes demand for secure bicycle storage facilities

A bike revolution has been taking place since the UK’s national coronavirus lockdown in March 2020, but despite bicycle sales jumping 677 per cent in that time the permanent infrastructure needed for cyclists, such as secure cycle storage, remains limited.

Recent surveys have demonstrated how cyclists taking up riding for commuting and recreation remain concerned about where and how they can safely secure their bikes.

According to Landmark Street Furniture, one of the leading suppliers and installers of secure cycle storage systems, much needs to be done in towns and cities throughout the UK to cater for the dramatic cycling phenomena.

“We’ve highlighted since May how the jump in people cycling is impacting on the demand to convert temporary cycling solutions created during the pandemic into long term urban infrastructure,” said Robert Hawgood, Managing Director of Landmark Street Furniture.

“It’s starting to happen in many cities, such as Bristol, Liverpool, Manchester, London and other large urban areas. And while pop-up cycle lanes set up in the early part of lockdown have been converted into permanent routes, other facilities such as cycle storage and racks are lagging behind.”

Cycling trips jumped by 60 per cent

According to Strava Metro cycling trips increased by 60 per cent over the past year. In London alone, one road saw a 337 per cent jump in trips year-on-year.

The UK government has said millions of pounds will be spent on new cycle superhighways, lanes and infrastructure to increase cycling. The Scottish Government has announced £22 million for cycling and recent research has found 900 new cycling schemes have been implemented since May 2020.

This is in addition to the Cycle to Work scheme changes and the Bike Repair scheme introduced in the summer.

More low-traffic community schemes

Many communities are also implementing low-traffic communities. These are where traffic is reduced or banned from local roads and, instead, cycle and pedestrian routes are created for safer passage and reduced carbon emissions.

“The focus has been very much in providing safe routes for cyclists and pedestrians as part of the move away from public transport. The next step is to devise solutions that cater for the cyclists using those routes,” added Mr Hawgood.

“It’s about businesses as well as local authorities investing in cycling infrastructure. Many cyclists commuting to work or considering such transport say they are concerned about where they will secure their bikes when they reach work or another destination. That is where employees and the public sector need to implement storage options.

Businesses need to cater more for cycling employees

“Businesses need to cater for the rise in workers cycling with outdoor and indoor cycling storage and rack systems, while property management companies and the public sector need to identify ways of providing such facilities for visitors and shoppers to public places and spaces.”

He said the same was needed within communal residential areas, such as apartment blocks, housing schemes and other domestic and commercial facilities.

Storage systems can be retrofitted into most locations, whether indoors or outdoors. Cycle racks, shelters and stands offer a range of solutions.

Existing transport hubs, such as railway stations, have already begun investing in cycle storage as part of station upgrades or improvements.

Kenilworth Station is a station where Network Rail invested in Landmark Street Furniture cycle storage and street furniture as part of a significant investment in the station.

“Many railway stations have improved storage for cyclists due to the demand before coronavirus. But with a push away from using public transport a similar investing is now needed in areas such as business and retail parks, town centres, residential developments and individual places of work.”

More details about secure cycle storage systems can be found at www.landmarkstreetfurniture.co.uk, email at sales@landmarkstreetfurniture.com or telephone 01686 689 198.