10: Minimum Cycle Parking Standards

Residential Development

Table 3 Cycle Parking Standards for Residential Development

10.1. For residential development, the short stay requirements primarily address the needs of visitors in communal developments. However, in the case of individual dwelling houses, other alternative provision for cycle storage may be considered that are convenient to access.

10.2. Where a development site is located in a town centre location and providing a reduced level of motor vehicle parking provision in line with 'Principle PS1', the above cycle parking standards is expected to remain as minimum requirements.

Non-Residential Development

10.3. The minimum standard of provision is set out for the various development types in Annex 1. The cycle parking provision for staff and visitors will both need to be addressed in relevant development.

Further guidance on cycle parking provision

10.4. Cycle parking is integral to any cycle network, and to the effective operation of wider active transport systems incorporating public transport. The availability of secure cycle parking at home, the end of a trip or at an interchange point has a significant influence on cycle use. Therefore, to enable cycling, the provision of convenient, sheltered, safe and secure cycle parking in this District, both at home and at other destinations such as places of work, education and other community establishments is critical. National guidance states that "opportunities to promote walking, cycling and public transport use are identified and pursued" and should be considered at the earliest stages of plan-making and development proposals.

10.5. The minimum standard of cycle parking provision are based around guidance provided by the "Cycle Infrastructure Design" Local Transport Note 1/20 published by the Department for Transport (DfT)22. This note also provides useful guidance on design of cycle parking, to ensure it is located appropriately, and be safe, secure and accessible to its users.

10.6. For development providing at least 20 cycle parking spaces, a proportion of the cycle parking (typically 5%) should be provided for non-standard cycles and to accommodate people with mobility impairments and additional cycle parking of this nature provided if a need is identified in either a Transport Assessment or Site/Company Travel Plan.

Figure 2: Typical dimensions of cycles (Source: Cycle Infrastructure Design, Local Transport Note 1/20, July 2020, Figure 5.2)

10.7. Cycle parking should be located in areas that are convenient for the trip origin/destination, taking into account existing cycle networks and generally should be in a location more convenient than car parking to encourage bicycle use. Likewise, the cycle parking needs to be easy to use and access, secure, covered and overseen, particularly for longer term parking. As with the provision of parking for cars and other vehicles, the design and environmental impacts of the provision of stands, racks, etc. will need to be fully considered as part of the comprehensive overall design of a development, balancing the issues of practical use with amenities.

10.8. For non-residential developments where longer term cycle parking is provided, particularly education premises and places of work, facilities for the secure storage of clothing should also be provided, as well as showering and changing facilities. An example of how this can be achieved, is through commitments in a site or company travel plan provided in support of a development proposal.

10.9. Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are becoming a popular alternative to other modes of travel such as the car for daily activities. The majority of models can currently be charged using a standard electrical socket. For communal areas in residential development and non-residential developments providing at least 20 cycle parking spaces of longer term cycle parking, provision should be made for electric bike charging hubs to enable the convenient recharging of these bikes. As a guide, provision should equate to 5% of the total spaces, unless evidence presented suggests otherwise.