TfL to invest £2.5 million in cycle parking

TfL is investing £2.5 million over the next year to boost the number of cycle parking spaces.

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.

Will Norman, London’s walking and cycling commissioner, said: “To enable more people to cycle it is essential that we not only make our streets safer but also make cycling easier and more convenient.

“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.

“I’m delighted that this plan and new investment will help meet the growing demand for cycle parking. 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.”

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

Through 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

– Help deliver 1,400 new secure cycle parking spaces in residential areas over the coming year

– 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

– 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

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

Christina Calderato, TfL’s head of delivery planning, said: “Enabling more people to cycle is vital if we are to tackle London’s air quality and inactivity crises, but many people can be put off cycling to everyday destinations such as their workplace, the shops or the station by a lack of space to park their bike.

“We want to work with organisations and partners across the capital to make sure that every cycling journey begins and ends with a place to park.”