Enhancing Urban Mobility with Dedicated Dockless Bike Parking Bays

The Rise of Dockless Bikes in City centres

In recent years, dockless bikes have increased in popularity across city centres, offering a convenient and eco-friendly alternative to traditional transportation methods. These bikes have become a common sight in city streets across the UK, promoting active travel and reducing dependence on cars. They offer an active travel option to a wide range of age groups with providers reporting high usage among younger generations who are opting out of car ownership. However, with this rise comes the challenge of managing their parking to ensure they continue to positively impact mobility and not disrupt the lives of people in the urban landscape.

The need for dedicated parking bays

The recent BBC article reporting Wandsworth Council’s ban on abandoning e-bikes on town centre pavements highlights the issues faced by councils looking to introduce such schemes. While dockless bike parking enables users to cycle to their destination, a lack of planning and infrastructure can lead to cluttered pavements and obstructed pedestrian paths.

To tackle this, the council has launched a scheme to install 111 dedicated parking bays for dockless bikes across the town centres within the borough. This initiative is set to ban dockless bike parking on pavements in busy town centre areas, directing riders to use the new bays instead.

Why dedicated parking bays matter

Dedicated parking bays for dockless bikes are essential for several reasons:

1. Preventing clutter: Dockless bikes left haphazardly on pavements can block pedestrian pathways, posing safety risks and causing an inconvenience, particularly for visually impaired individuals and Disabled people. Dedicated bays help keep pavements clear and accessible.

2. Promoting orderliness: Organised parking bays ensure that dockless bikes are neatly parked, enhancing the overall appearance of city centres and making it easier for users to locate and access them.

3. Preventing damage: High winds and other environmental factors can cause incorrectly parked dockless bikes to fall over, leading to potential damage to the bikes and surrounding property. Dedicated enclosed bays provide a secure and stable parking solution.

Introducing the Mobility Corral

At Cyclehoop, we understand the importance of accessible cycle parking. Our Mobility Corrals offer an ideal solution to the challenges posed by the careless parking of dockless bikes.

The Corral is designed to allocate parking space both in the carriageway and on pedestrianised areas, preventing bikes from blowing over in high winds and ensuring they remain neatly arranged. They are quick and easy to install, and the simple design makes them easy to relocate, should the need arise. Modular by design, the units can be configured to suit the site requirements, allocating spaces for different parking types. By installing Mobility Corrals in city centres, you can create a more orderly and accessible environment for all.

The Benefits of Mobility Corrals

- Increased Accessibility: Properly organised dockless bikes are easier to access and use, encouraging more people to choose active travel over cars.

- Improved City Centres: Neat and orderly parking bays contribute to the visual appeal of city streets.

Case study: Hackney Mobility Corrals for dockless bike hire

In 2021, Cyclehoop was contracted by the London Borough of Hackney to provide seventy-one Mobility Corrals to accompany a new dockless bike hire scheme. The aim of the project was to offer residents a new, environmentally friendly transport option and support the goal set in the Hackney Transport Strategy 2015-2025 Cycling Plan:

“To make Hackney’s roads the most attractive and safest roads for cycling in the UK, and a place where it is second nature for everyone to cycle, no matter what their age, background or ethnicity”

The scheme proved a success, with Hackney quickly becoming one of London’s highest usage boroughs. Lime reported a 117% increase in dockless bike and scooter trips in London between January and July 2022, a trend sure to continue as popularity grows. The Council also expects to expand the dockless bike bays to increase the visibility and compliance of the scheme.

Learn More

To learn more about this development, check out the full article on BBC News: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c28808jjrx1o

For more information about our Mobility Corrals and how they can benefit your area, visit our product page: https://cyclehoop.com/product/mobility-corral

To read about the case study on Hackney Mobility Corrals visit: https://cyclehoop.com/case-study/hackney-mobility-corrals-for-dockless-bike-hire/.

Conclusion

Dockless bikes are a valuable addition to urban transportation, offering a sustainable and convenient travel option. To maximise their benefits, investment in infrastructure is required. With dedicated parking bays and innovative solutions like Mobility Corrals, we can create a more orderly, accessible, and enjoyable urban environment for all.