A NEW bike hangar in Keynsham is part of a two-year trial to improve travel choices for residents in Bath and North East Somerset.
The facility in Carpenters Lane is one of 20 new hangars – mainly at locations in Bath – that will provide lockable and secure storage for 120 bikes for residents who don’t have access to private cycle parking, such as a shed or garage.
Bath & North East Somerset Council said the colour of the hangars is in keeping with the location, and they will be maintained and operated by Falco on the council’s behalf.
The hangars, which were due to be installed by the end of August, are part of a £193,000 two-year trial, which is funded by the government’s Transforming Cities Fund awarded by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and Bath Clean Air Zone revenue reserve.
Each hangar can store six bikes, with each space costing £42 a year to rent, during the trial period.
Councillor Sarah Warren, deputy leader and cabinet member for climate emergency and sustainable travel, said discussions with residents who took part in a citizens’ panel on active travel revealed that, while bike lanes were needed, it was also important to have safe and secure storage for cycles.
She said: “People will have another chance to request hangars in their area later in the year, when the West of England Combined Authority will be consulting on sites for additional funded hangars.”
Hangars are being installed on The Street in Radstock and at the following locations in Bath: Grove Street, Railway Place, Camden Road, Portland Place, Cleveland Place, Henry Street, Walcot Street, Vane Street, Lansdown Place West, Park Place, Upper Church Street, South Parade, Henrietta Mews, Catharine Place, Archway Street, Pulteney Gardens, Sydney Mews, and Grosvenor Place.
A map of all the locations can be found on the council’s website.
The hangers can be reconfigured by removing one of the stands to allow extra storage space for non-standard bikes used by people with a disability.
Cycle hangars are already being tested in Great Stanhope Street, New King Street and Sydney Buildings. Residents can find out more about the new hangars or rent a space for their bike at www.rentals.falco.co.uk
A survey on proposed sites is due to be launched soon and could include up to 20 more cycle hangars in B&NES.
Pictured, the new bike hangar in Carpenters Lane, Keynsham
Cyclists get secure bike hangars
