BICYCLE PARKING

Cycling infrastructure and parking: solutions for the urban mobility of the future

With the growing number of bicycles in inner-city traffic, the development of a modern cycling infrastructure is becoming increasingly important. The politically desirable transition to sustainable mobility can only be achieved by providing cyclists with reliable and well-designed solutions.

Even megacities like London and Paris have achieved impressive results in a brief period of time: New inner-city cycle path networks are reducing noise and emissions, while residents, workers, and visitors can reach their destinations faster and in a healthier and more cost-effective manner. Quality of life has improved noticeably for everyone involved.

However, any initiative that aims to promote cycling and e-bike use in the long term must also consider the issue of parking. Bicycles parked haphazardly on railings and lampposts not only spoil the cityscape but also pose a traffic and safety hazard—not least for the bicycles themselves, which, with price tags ranging from EUR 3,000 to EUR 5,000, are often highly valuable items.

Traditional, unprotected bike sheds have long since failed to meet the requirements of an urban, future-oriented mobility system. This is why we already offer innovative solutions for safe and space-saving bicycle parking.

Lack of parking at German train stations

There is an acute shortage of bicycle parking spaces at many German train stations. More and more commuters and travelers are using their bicycles to get to the train, yet the available parking facilities are often inadequate, overcrowded, or not secure enough.

According to the German bicycle parking information service, tens of thousands of parking spaces are lacking nationwide, leading to chaotic parking and damaged bicycles. A modern, space-saving, and secure bicycle parking infrastructure is therefore essential to make the environmentally friendly combination of cycling and rail more attractive.

Sources of irritation at train stations

  • Not enough parking spaces (67% agreement)
  • Not enough covered parking spaces (57%)
  • Not enough lockable parking spaces (55%)

Only 8% of people surveyed would recommend parking a bike at a train station!

Source: Bicycle parking at stations information service—Guidelines for the planning and construction of bicycle parking facilities

Trends in cycle traffic

Bicycle prices are rising steadily and reached a record high of EUR 1,788 on average in Germany in 2023. This trend is being driven by high-value e-bikes and cargo bikes.

At the same time, the number of bicycles in cities is growing, increasing the demand for secure parking facilities. However, many people are reluctant to park their expensive bikes in the city or at the train station for fear of theft. This is hardly surprising, given that the number of bicycle thefts is steadily increasing, while the resolution rate is only around 10%. A secure and well-designed bicycle parking infrastructure is therefore becoming increasingly important.

According to a study by the Fraunhofer Institute, with the right support, bicycles could account for as much as 45% of local traffic by 2035 (currently 13%).

Options for integrating fully automatic bicycle parking systems

Our innovative bicycle parking solutions maximize space utilization and optimize parking space efficiently. One example of this is our Bikesafe, with a round design that allows it to integrate seamlessly into the spiral ramp of a parking garage, making optimal use of an otherwise unused area.

And that’s not all: We can customize the facades of our solutions to match their surroundings and blend harmoniously into the cityscape. An outstanding example is the “AM TACHELES” project in Berlin, where a Bikesafe was integrated into the design as a shaft version. The transfer area was given a mirrored facade, turning it into a real design highlight.

Our bicycle parking solutions

Bikesafe: The round one

Even with the use of bicycle locks, bicycle theft is a major problem, especially in cities. With the WÖHR Bikesafe, we offer a convenient and secure solution for space-saving bicycle parking. The system comes in three versions. The tower version has a floor space of around 50 square meters and can accommodate 122 bicycles on 8 levels. The system is especially suitable for the spiral ramp of a parking garage. It can also be integrated into a residential building. The second version is the shaft version, which also has a small footprint. In this version, 128 bicycles are parked underground on eight levels, with only the transfer cabin located at street level. The third version is a mixture of the tower and shaft versions. Here, part of the system is sunk into the ground, while the other part is located above ground. This system also has a small footprint and can accommodate 122 bicycles. It can easily store all standard bicycle models weighing up to 30 kg, along with saddle bags, child seats, or baskets, provided that the attachments fit within the specified dimensions. Even bicycles with handlebars up to 83 cm wide can be parked safely and conveniently in the system.

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Best Practices

Compared to many new developments in Berlin, the space in the new AM TACHELES district has its own unique character thanks to its distinctive shape, open layout, facade design, and landscaping. The mirrored cylinder in the center that provides space for bicycles is a nice little highlight.

To the Project

With 244 secure, dry, and free bicycle parking spaces, the new bike tower at Wunstorf train station in Germany marks a milestone for a bicycle-friendly future.

While the transition to sustainable mobility is the subject of discussion throughout Germany, it has already taken a decisive step forward in the town of Wunstorf in the district of Hanover. Since the beginning of the month, residents and commuters in this Lower Saxony municipality have been able to use a free automatic bicycle parking facility with 244 secure and sheltered parking spaces. The Bikesafe is located directly on the north side of Wunstorf station, the second busiest station for commuters from the surrounding area after Hanover Central Station.

After a year and a half of intensive construction work and several months of trial operation, Carsten Piellusch, mayor of Wunstorf, and Ulf-Birger Franz, director of transport for the Hanover region, officially opened the facility on November 2, 2023. A win for the whole region and an essential building block for a sustainable mobility concept. The smart bicycle parking facility is a vital component of the Hanover region’s 2035 traffic development plan, which aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2035.

To the Project

WÖHR Bikesafe in Heilbronn: 122 bicycles in an area measuring 7.5 meters in diameter—Germany’s most advanced bicycle parking facility is located at Heilbronn Central Station.

If you want to glimpse the future of urban mobility, head to Heilbronn in Germany. One of the first publicly accessible WÖHR Bikesafes is now in trial operation at the city’s main train station. The fully automatic bicycle parking facility from the Swabian parking experts is a space-saving sensation with an innovative, digital user interface and a design that blends in perfectly with its listed surroundings.

Germany aims to become a cycling nation by 2030. This is the goal of the German “National Cycling Plan 3.0” adopted in April 2021. To reach this goal, however, we not only need people to switch to cycling, but also an appropriate infrastructure with a well-developed network of cycle paths and plenty of parking spaces. Parking spaces are often in short supply, especially in big cities and urban areas.

To the Project

A fully automatic WÖHR Bikesafe for employees was completed at the Reutlingen site at the beginning of October 2020. Baden-Württemberg’s transport minister Winfried Hermann (from the Green Party) also attended the launch of the project, which was funded from state coffers.

Client: Robert Bosch GmbH
Bicycle parking facility: WÖHR Bikesafe 885 Tower-16-122-8-83

122 bicycles on around 54 square meters of floor space

To the Project

Bike-Safe-Tower®: the angular one

The Bike-Safe-Tower is an innovative, modular bicycle parking system that allows for flexible capacity adjustment. With its space-saving design, it offers maximum efficiency for urban settings and areas with limited space.
More than 160 bicycles can be safely stored in an area equivalent to just four car parking spaces and 20 bike parking spaces can be created in a minimum floor space of around 2.45 m x 2.62 m. The space can be customized to suit individual requirements.
Thanks to its modular design, the Bike-Safe-Tower is ideal for municipalities, companies, and operators of urban mobility solutions who want to create smart, sustainable, and efficient parking facilities for bicycles. All types of bicycles can be parked in the individual pods. The system stands out from its competitors thanks to its ability to accommodate bicycles weighing up to 35 kg and with a handlebar width of up to 85 cm.

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Best Practices

The “Radbox” Bike-Safe-Tower® at Fellbach station in the German state of Baden-Württemberg is a groundbreaking example of modern, space-saving bicycle parking facilities. With a height of 16 meters and a floor space of just 30 square meters, the tower offers 76 spacious individual boxes for bicycles. Users can park their bicycles safely and protected from the weather using an app or an RFID card issued by the VVS public transport association. The fully galvanized steel structure was designed to last for 100 years and went into operation in December 2020. With its innovative design and efficient use of space, the “Radbox” bike box sets new standards for urban mobility.

With 244 secure, dry, and free bicycle parking spaces, the new bike tower at Wunstorf train station in Germany marks a milestone for a bicycle-friendly future.

While the transition to sustainable mobility is the subject of discussion throughout Germany, it has already taken a decisive step forward in the town of Wunstorf in the district of Hanover. Since the beginning of the month, residents and commuters in this Lower Saxony municipality have been able to use a free automatic bicycle parking facility with 244 secure and sheltered parking spaces. The Bikesafe is located directly on the north side of Wunstorf station, the second busiest station for commuters from the surrounding area after Hanover Central Station.

After a year and a half of intensive construction work and several months of trial operation, Carsten Piellusch, mayor of Wunstorf, and Ulf-Birger Franz, director of transport for the Hanover region, officially opened the facility on November 2, 2023. A win for the whole region and an essential building block for a sustainable mobility concept. The smart bicycle parking facility is a vital component of the Hanover region’s 2035 traffic development plan, which aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2035.

Bike-Parking-Lift®: efficient and convenient bicycle parking

The Bike-Parking-Lift® is an innovative bicycle lift that effortlessly lifts bicycles into their horizontal parking position. This smart bicycle parking system comes in two versions:

Single-station version: Ideal for smaller parking space solutions.

Multi-station carousel version: Perfect for maximum space utilization with higher capacities.

The system stands out not only because it is easy to use, but also because it makes the most out of every cubic meter of space.

Combined with our design concept for bicycle parking facilities in new buildings, the Bike-Parking-Lift® offers a cost-effective solution that can significantly reduce construction and maintenance costs.

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