Street bike solution wins British Parking Award

Bikehangars in Lambeth, where 58% of homes are car-free

Bikehangars in Lambeth, where 58% of homes are car-free

Cycle design firm Cyclehoop took the cycle parking prize for its Bikehangar system at the 2014 British Parking Awards on 7 March. 

The secure hangars take up one on-road car parking space and provides parking for up to 12 bikes. 

More than 120 Bikehangars have been installed across six London boroughs in the past 12 months, says Habib Khan, Cyclehoop’s sales and marketing director. Residents can register online for a space at their nearest Bikehangar, with cycle parking costs at around £30 a year. 

“Those who don’t have access to back gardens or suitable indoor space will be eligible to apply, with priority given to those that have to navigate stairs,” says Khan. 

The lack of secure bike parking is deterring residents from taking up cycling, he believes. The problem is particularly acute in London, where 79% of people live in homes that do not have off-street cycle parking such as garages or driveways. 

Some 45% of residents in the capital do not live in ground floor accommodation.  

The number of car-free households in several inner London boroughs is on the rise, according to Census figures. For example, the number of households without a car or van in Southwark rose from 51% in 2001 to 58% in 2011. 

In Hackney, the number of car-free homes jumped from 56% to 65% while in Lambeth it went up from 51% to 58%.

“Many local authorities now have funding to invest in secure cycle parking infrastructure, but do not have the resources to maintain them and time to manage the cyclists who all need keys to access the facilities,” says Khan. 

To find out more about Bikehangar visit the Cyclehoop stand at Cycle City.