Cycle storage pods for Leeds city centre

[wiggydiggy]

Cycle storage pods for Leeds city centre

CYCLE storage pods are set to be installed in the city centre after more than 1,300 bikes were stolen in three years.

Leeds City Council said hangars with secure locking systems would be fitted at ten locations under the £130,000 scheme.
The council said thefts and a lack of storage were a deterrent to cycling into the city and valuable e-bikes were frequently being stolen.
It said: “Over the past three years 1,326 bikes were stolen in the city centre, averaging more than one a day.”

The report said a University of Leeds study found 63 per cent of e-bike owners in Leeds were worried about bike theft, more than the English average of 59 per cent.
It said: “Therefore, it is highly likely that the lack of secure cycle parking in the city centre is reducing the levels of cycling to the centre of Leeds.”
A trial scheme will see the hangars installed at locations including Kirkgate Market, the bus station and art gallery.
The short-stay storage would use bluetooth and phone app-controlled locking systems and cyclists would be charged a small fee, the report said.
The network of hangars would be available 24 hours a day and be able to store a total of 56 bikes at a time.
It said: “If, as is likely, the hangers are used for short-stay parking, the network of hangers will support significantly more than 56 cycle trips per day.”
A cycle storage facility set to open at Leeds Station next year was not expected to satisfy demand.
The report said: “Should the trial succeed, there is scope to expand this network of hangers.”
Funding for the project would come from Leeds City Region and contributions from developers given planning permission to build in the city.
Notes: Attached pic published in Leeds City Council report and credited to Cyclehoop. Use at own discretion.
Report cites West Yorkshire Police bike theft figures.

Not bothered about the charge if its reasonable, but very interested in how the bluetooth/app works. Hopefully you can see if a pod has space before you get there. Did some research and I think these are the pods: https://cyclehoop.com/product/bikehangar/

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Looking at the bikehangar link it looks like you can book a spot ahead

which would be great - I generally avoid cycling to our local train station because the decent places to lock bikes up are either destroyed or wrecked - and the rest will be occupied

so if I am not arriving there first thing in the morning then I cannot guarantee a decent place to lock it up

 

[DCLane]

Looks like a good idea @wiggydiggy if they're useable.

Personally I've got bike storage at my work in the city centre, but others would find it very helpful.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Looking at the bikehangar link it looks like you can book a spot ahead

which would be great - I generally avoid cycling to our local train station because the decent places to lock bikes up are either destroyed or wrecked - and the rest will be occupied

so if I am not arriving there first thing in the morning then I cannot guarantee a decent place to lock it up

That'd be brilliant if I can, if I'm parked at work and want to nip into town then it turns a 20 mins walk into a 2 min cycle.

 

[Dadam]

Looks like a good idea @wiggydiggy if they're useable.

Personally I've got bike storage at my work in the city centre, but others would find it very helpful.

Same here. Last year I popped in on the ebike to have a look at office chairs in John Lewis, but was not thrilled about the bike parking in the vicinity. So I came straight back, via a street food vendor to pick up some very nice gyros, so not a completely wasted trip.

 

[ianrauk]

Cycle storage pods for Leeds city centre



Not bothered about the charge if its reasonable, but very interested in how the bluetooth/app works. Hopefully you can see if a pod has space before you get there. Did some research and I think these are the pods: https://cyclehoop.com/product/bikehangar/



View attachment 791903

There's many of these dotted around in London but can't tell you how they work or how they are allocated to cyclists.

 

[markemark]

There's many of these dotted around in London but can't tell you how they work or how they are allocated to cyclists.

They ones my side of London are available to rent my local residents. Generally offered to those without outdoor space on a (some) months basis.

 

[wiggydiggy]

There's many of these dotted around in London but can't tell you how they work or how they are allocated to cyclists.

I downloaded their app to have a play, once you are registered you search on a map to view the pod to book, then select it. I haven't actually taken it further than searching as I don't actually want to book a space. You can add details of your bike(s) as well.

I did notice the pricing seems to be different per location. Glasgow is a flat rate £1 for 24hrs, Peterbrough starts at 15p for upto 30 mins, London starts at 50p for 2 hours and there is one pod in Galashiels which is either free or £1 - their pricing appears to be broken. Anyway point is the pricing is dynamic, perhaps set by the councils themselves, I hope they do price it low enough to attract use.

 

[steveindenmark]

I would be interested to see what an angle grinder would do to it.

 

[postman]

I would be interested to see what an angle grinder would do to it.

Being the old fart that i am ,i had similar thoughts.

 

[Punkawallah]

Where I worked they opened the ‘bicycle store’ with a grand fanfare, and insisted all workers who cycled use it. In the fortnight I used it, the door was left open twice. End of experiment for me.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Where I worked they opened the ‘bicycle store’ with a grand fanfare, and insisted all workers who cycled use it. In the fortnight I used it, the door was left open twice. End of experiment for me.

On a course this year I didn't use their bike room for the same reason, the door was unsecured and anyone with access to the building could walk in. I parked in my office and walked down daily instead.