Skip to main content

VIDEO: Cycle parking at the office is getting easier

Highway designers are increasingly asked to integrate cycle lanes and paths into their projects in major urban areas. And many commuting cyclists are grateful for it, too. But what happens when the cycle path ends, even if it is right outside the rider’s destination, such as his or her work place, be it an office building or factory? That last few metres are essential for completing the perfect commute. This means being able to park the bicycle in a secure environment.
September 7, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
Highway designers are increasingly asked to integrate cycle lanes and paths into their projects in major urban areas.

And many commuting cyclists are grateful for it, too.

But what happens when the cycle path ends, even if it is right outside the rider’s destination, such as his or her work place, be it an office building or factory?

That last few metres are essential for completing the perfect commute. This means being able to park the bicycle in a secure environment.

Over the past decade or so, more and more businesses have been designing cycle parking on the premises, as well as installing shower and change-room facilities – even drying areas for a cyclists rain-soaked clothes.

But it’s been a struggle allowing cyclist to bring their two-wheels into the office if that is the only place to keep it safe. In some cities, such as New York, it’s mandatory for business’s and property owners to allow this.

New York City’s Bikes in Buildings programme is to aid the Bicycle Access to Office Buildings Law that aims to increase bicycle commuting by providing cyclists secure parking their bicycles in or close to their workplaces. The programme allows tenants of office buildings to request bicycle access for their employees. In response to a request, a building owner or manager must either grant access or request an exception from the New York City Department of Transportation.

The law, however, applies only to commercial office buildings with at least one freight elevator. It does not apply to residential buildings or any other building that is not primarily composed of offices.

There could also be a downside to encouraging cycle commuting. Some people just don’t know when to leave their bicycle outside, as the video below shows.

In London, one property owner has gone one wheel-turn further by designing in a cycle ramp right into the office, as this %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 oLinkExternal BBC video Visit BBC Website false http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34154520 false false%> shows. However, the cycle ramp at the refurbished Alphabeta building it may not be a ride for the faint-hearted.

Related Content

  • Demolition project for UK car park
    November 5, 2012
    In the UK town of Luton, a contractor has been hard at work demolishing a car park. Situated in the centre of this large town, the car park had to be removed as it had reached the end of its working life. But the tight space of the urban working environment meant that the contractor had to be extremely careful not to damage surrounding buildings or inconvenience business, traffic or commuters. Long reach excavators with demolition attachments were used by the firm.
  • PPRS event: Road users’ concerns at the heart of the programme
    December 19, 2014
    Europeans are in two minds about whether their road transport has improved in the past five years, according to the latest European Commission’ Eurobarometer survey and report. According to 38% of respondents, road transport quality had gone up, but 40% said it had dropped, while 18% said there had been no change. Whatever the opinion on quality, 60% of respondents to the report’s survey considered congestion to be the most serious issue facing Europe’s roads. The survey highlighted the dominance o
  • Motorway madness
    September 24, 2019
    A cyclist was recently spotted on the UK’s busy M25 motorway pedalling along the hard shoulder in the wrong direction. Police were alerted by a CCTV operator who saw the rider as he rode past a camera. Officers quickly responded and escorted the cyclist to a place of safety after providing a few words on safety. Cycling is banned on the UK’s motorways.
  • JCB shows LiveLink telematics at INTERMAT 2012
    January 6, 2017
    JCB will be showing its LiveLink telematics system, which is now fitted as standard on 80% of its products sold across Europe.