The first phase of delivering new secure cycle parking in Cardiff city centre will start on July 16th, with the first six secure cycling units installed by Cardiff Castle for public and visitors to use.
Funded by the
Active Travel Fund, One Planet Cardiff and the Local Places for Nature
Programme, a total of 30 units will be delivered in the first month of the
scheme. This will be followed by a 5-year programme to install more units
across the city centre and in local shopping areas.
All the
initial units will have living roofs, which will provide significant
environmental benefits by enhancing biodiversity in city centre locations.
The initial
contract, awarded to Spoke Safe, will focus exclusively on the city centre.
Cyclists will be able to be book and pay for their locker via an online App in
advance, for as little as between £1 and £1.50 a day.
The initial
new units will be battery-powered, eliminating the need to connect them to the
electricity grid and reducing installation costs.
Cllr Dan
De’Ath. Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Strategic Planning and Transport
said: “The Council is committed to improving the facilities for cyclists as we
are fully aware there are issues with bike theft and damage to bikes in
Cardiff. 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.
“Although we
initially hoped to provide these services for free, after engaging local
cycling groups and the public - nearly 80% of whom were happy paying a small
fee in exchange for a more efficient scheme, we found that a modest charge
makes the scheme financially sustainable, so it can continue to expand into
district shopping centres in areas like Cardiff Bay, Cathays, Roath, Llanishen
and Heath.
“Throughout
the project, we have also been working with the South Wales Police and security
experts to ensure that the new lockers are safe and cannot be misused. 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.
The first
phase will use individual cycling containers that will be installed in Cardiff
city centre, with 30 installed in the first month, a further 30 installed by
Christmas and a total of 100 units installed in the first year.
The contract
for the 5-year programme is expected to be appointed later this summer. It
could include a variety of different chargeable solutions such as hangars,
stands or further lockers, while retaining the current free steel stands for
free cycle parking.
As part of a
separate scheme, the Council will also be piloting secure cycle hangers in
residential areas. Local consultation will take place in the coming weeks on
where the hangers could be located.