Office cycle spaces taking over from parking for cars

AGROWING trend in office space is the improvement of bike parking, often at the expense of car parking, in response to changing commuter patterns.

With its hilly terrain, Bristol may not be the obvious place for commuting by bike, but the increasing affordability of e-bikes mean that hills don’t need to pose a challenge and more people are realising the benefits of cycling.

Bike parking security is a significant deterrent to cycling to work. Well-designed secure bike storage can provide peace of mind and together with changing facilities make commuting by bike a practical option.

A recent example of this is the new 321-bike capacity Cycle Vault designed and certified by CyclingScore at Castlemead as part of the £2.1 million refurbishment of Bristol’s tallest office building by Floreat Real Estate.

Ian Pond, campaign lead at CyclingWorks Bristol, explains why smart office developers are prioritising secure bicycle spaces over car parking

Stylishly designed and occupying the whole of one basement floor, it has dedicated secure access leading to a spacious lift and ramp to the parking, where users can secure their bikes to racks or stands, some with e-charging facilities. There’s a tool station for maintenance and lockers, drying room and shower/ changing facilities.

Greg Davison at Floreat, describing the key selling point, said: “Ensuring tenants have access to market-leading amenities is crucial to the success of office space. We have received enormously positive feedback and generated an increase in viewings and new lettings.”

Castlemead is a great example of property developers going the extra mile to make active travel easy and practical for commuters. This message also comes through from employers.

Kirsty Green-Mann, at Burges Salmon LLP, said: “We provide secure bike racks, changing and shower facilities, have a bike users group and arrange for on-site bike mechanics.”

Planning for the future, Barry Gipson, at Osborne Clarke, said: “In 2022, we will move to new offices in the Halo building.

“It will be set up to support cycling with ample bike parking, e-charging, showers, changing rooms, lockers etc.”

Phil Smith at Business West, which partners with CyclingWorks Bristol, said: “We recently surveyed 500 businesses across the region. Eighty per cent of them agreed that climate change is a core business issue, and one that can be addressed by encouraging employees to embrace active travel as part of their commute.”

Ahead of the introduction of the Bristol CAZ next year, it is good to see business investing to make it easier for commuters to choose active travel.

Alongside this, there is a need for protected bike lanes that connect the centre with homes and transport hubs, to address people’s concerns about their safety on the road.

Evidence around the world shows that by making cycling safer, more people are encouraged to switch to active travel, which is good for their health, as well as reducing transport carbon.