Cycle storage projects across the country set to help more people to travel by bike
30 January 2024
160,000 people estimated to benefit from greater access to secure cycle storage through range of local authority projects.
More residents and commuters across Scotland will soon find it easier to cycle for everyday journeys.
From Arbroath to Aberdeen, Dundee to Edinburgh, a variety of local authority projects have been developed in partnership with the nation’s cycling charity, Cycling Scotland.
A significant barrier to more people cycling is the lack of safe or convenient bike storage, with research from Cycling Scotland showing that a third of Scottish households (an estimated 1.5 million people) are likely to live in accommodation where this is an issue.
In total, 160,000 people are set to benefit through better access to secure cycle storage and parking, including:
- On-street cycle storage in Dundee.
- A pilot project to deliver secure cycle storage in Arbroath.
- Expansion of access to bike storage for hundreds of residents of multi-storey properties in Aberdeen.
- Dedicated bike storage facilities for new social housing developments in Motherwell and in Granton, Edinburgh.
In addition, a number of local projects to install secure bike parking at bus stops and transport hubs are being supported, making it easier for more people to connect bike and bus journeys together. These projects include:
- New secure bike parking facilities at rural bus stops in both Aberdeenshire and Perth and Kinross.
- Support for secure cycle parking at new sustainable transport hubs being developed at multi-storey car parks in Dundee city centre.
Katharine Brough, Head of Grant Funding & Partnerships, at Cycling Scotland, said: “It’s been so positive to work in partnership with local authorities to increase access to essential, secure residential cycle storage across Scotland. Each of these projects will have a real impact in making cycling more accessible, helping more people to choose an affordable and sustainable way to travel for everyday journeys.
“As well as having storage at home, bike storage at key destinations where people work, shop and connect to public transport is vital in supporting more people to cycle, and helping tackle the climate emergency, health crisis and transport poverty.”
Cllr Siobhan Tollan, depute convener of Fair Work, Economic Growth and Infrastructure, at Dundee City Council, said: "Dundee City Council is grateful to Cycling Scotland for their continued support to improve access to cycle parking and storage by increasing provision in both residential settings and everyday destinations. Increased cycle storage throughout the city will enable greater opportunities for communities to utilise lower cost transport options in accessing employment, service, and recreational destinations”.
Nick Toner, a resident of Blackness, Dundee, has found his new on-street bike storage space has made a big difference to how he travels around the city:
“Having the bike storage space has removed a mental and physical barrier for me. Just facing the idea of looking for somewhere safe to store my bike and lock it up, it was such a hassle. But now I come to work, and I have a parking spot nearby. It’s so much more convenient and it’s given me the freedom to use my bike to get around the city more often.”