Great news for Cardiff’s pedal-powered residents and visitors! The city is gearing up to make cycling even more appealing with the launch of a brand-new secure cycle parking scheme, kicking off right in the heart of the city centre.
Starting July 16th, the first six state-of-the-art, secure cycling units will be popping up by Cardiff Castle, offering a safe haven for your precious two-wheeled transport. But this is just the beginning of a much bigger plan!
Green and Secure
These initial units, part of a first phase that will see 30 installed within the first month, boast a fantastic eco-friendly feature: living roofs! Not only will they keep your bike safe, but they’ll also be boosting biodiversity in our bustling city centre, a win-win for everyone.
Funded by the Active Travel Fund, One Planet Cardiff, and the Local Places for Nature Programme, this ambitious project is set to transform cycle parking in Cardiff. The initial contract, awarded to Spoke Safe, will focus on the city centre, making it easier than ever to park your bike with peace of mind.
Book, Pay, Park!
Worried about finding a spot? Don’t be! Cyclists will be able to book and pay for their locker in advance via a handy online app, with prices as low as £1 to £1.50 a day. In a clever move to simplify installation and reduce costs, these initial units will be battery-powered, meaning no pesky electricity grid connections are needed.
A Five-Year Vision for a Cycling City
Cllr Dan De’Ath, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Strategic Planning and Transport, emphasised the council’s commitment to improving cycling facilities. “We are fully aware there are issues with bike theft and damage to bikes in Cardiff,” he stated. “This is why we are developing a 5-year programme which could see a variety of different secure cycling solutions delivered at key locations across the city.”
While the initial hope was to offer these services for free, extensive engagement with local cycling groups and the public revealed a surprising consensus: nearly 80% were happy to pay a small fee for a more efficient and sustainable scheme. This modest charge will ensure the programme can continue to expand beyond the city centre, reaching popular district shopping areas like Cardiff Bay, Cathays, Roath, Llanishen, and Heath.
Working with the Experts
Security is paramount and the council has been working closely with South Wales Police and security experts to ensure these new lockers are robust and secure. “By offering secure and reliable solutions for cyclists, we hope more people will dust off their bikes in their garage and start cycling again, confident that their bike will be safe when parked,” added Cllr De’Ath.
The first phase will see a total of 100 individual cycling containers installed in the city centre within the first year, with another 30 arriving by Christmas.
Looking further ahead, the contract for the wider five-year programme is expected to be appointed later this summer. This could introduce a variety of chargeable solutions, including hangars, stands, or even more lockers, while still retaining the existing free steel stands for those who prefer them.
That’s not all! In a separate initiative, the Council will also be piloting secure cycle hangers in residential areas, with local consultations on their placement kicking off in the coming weeks.
So, get ready to embrace secure cycling, Cardiff. It’s an exciting time for two-wheeled travel in our fantastic city.
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