Development of secure bicycle parking facilities
Cycle parking is a key element in the development of active mobility. It allows cyclists to park their bikes safely, encouraging their use on a daily basis.
For many years now, secure car parks have been available to park cars for varying lengths of time. So why not offer the same type of car park for bicycles? Altinnova can help you with all your secure cycle parking projects.
Design and layout of a secure cycle parking area
Our engineering and design department is ready to listen to you and design a cycle park to suit your needs. We take into account your specific requirements, the expectations of your users and the constraints of your site.
Our engineers and project managers work closely with your teams to build a tailor-made solution that meets your specifications and your ambitions in terms of sustainable mobility, from the initial idea phase right through to customisation of the equipment.
Adapting the car park to your needs and those of your users
Every project is unique. That’s why we start by analysing the specific needs of your users, to define the solution best suited to your context.
The first step is to determine the structure of the bike park, based on the level of service you want to offer:
Outdoors:
For long-term parking, a covered shelter is the minimum required to protect bicycles from bad weather. For more occasional use in town centres, simple parking racks may suffice.
Indoors:
An enclosed structure is not always essential, but it does enhance safety and a feeling of confidence for users.
Un stationnement vélo bien conçu, accessible et bien situé joue un rôle décisif dans l’adoption du vélo comme mode de déplacement quotidien.
Some examples of suitable configurations
Occasional on-street or city-centre parking
Use: Short stops (shops, public services, etc.)
Recommended solution :
- Galvanised steel racks or hoops (ideally sheltered), installed directly on pavements or pedestrian areas.
- Quick installation, small footprint, ideal for increasing parking capacity.
Long-term outdoor parking
(stations, businesses, schools)
Use : Parking for several hours or even all day
- Covered and open bicycle sheds, to protect bicycles from bad weather, ideally closed bicycle lockers to prevent vandalism
- Option: secure attachment systems (hoops, double-level racks) to maximise capacity.
Secure cycle parking with access control
Uses : Public authorities, intermodal car parks, residential car parks, social housing, areas at risk of theft
Recommended solution :
- Individual boxes or closed shelters with access control (badge, mobile application, digital code)
- Video surveillance, automatic lighting, optional VAE recharging
Indoor car park
(residences, businesses, car parks)
Use : Residential or private parking
Recommended solution :
- Double-deck racks (if high enough), alternating-height racks, hoops (wall-mounted if space is tight),
- Possibility of integrating storage lockers or inflation and repair stations
Operation of secure bicycle parking
Building a secure cycle parking facility represents a major investment, which often leads us to think about how to make it pay for itself.
In some cases, such as for a company or business, providing cycle parking is a free service, offered to employees, visitors or customers to meet their soft mobility needs. In these cases, no consideration is required: it’s a voluntary initiative that enhances the image of the establishment or the town.
On the other hand, for a local authority or car park operator, monetising the service may be essential to guarantee its long-term future. In this context, it is strongly recommended to install security systems with access control, enabling simple and effective management of admissions, whether by subscription or one-off access.
Why provide cycle parking?
At a time when green mobility is one of the key levers for building a sustainable future, it is essential to create an environment that is conducive to cycling. While infrastructure such as cycle lanes is essential, it is not enough on its own. Other elements, just as fundamental, must accompany this transition: secure parking, bicycle maintenance and the quality of cycle furniture.
Providing suitable, secure cycle parking means removing some of the major disincentives to cycling on a daily basis:
- fear of theft,
- the lack of available places,
- or the lack of protected areas against bad weather.
By making it easy to park with confidence, you are encouraging the use of bicycles for everyday journeys, whether near stations, schools, shops, businesses or residential areas.
It’s a concrete, visible and useful action, part of an effective ecological transition strategy, and a response to the growing expectations of citizens for cities that are more breathable and more humane.