Chester’s new indoor cycle parking space has been opened by Cheshire West and Chester Council within the Northgate development’s Hunter Street multi-storey car park.
The Cycle Hub will be open daily from 6:30 am to 11:30 pm and includes CCTV, security and access controls and the following facilities:
- 56 cycle racks
- 20 spaces for scooter parking
- a cycle repair station with pump, allen keys, tools and an elevated stand
- 3 accessible cycle parking hoops
- 7 free electric cycle charging points with 3 pin plugs, and
- a dedicated access route away from vehicles.
Anyone wishing to use the Cycle Hub can pay a one-off £10 fee for an access card, available from the car park office within the New Market Parking to the right of the entrance. To buy an access card, users will need to bring proof of identification and card payments only will be accepted.
The £10 charge will also apply for replacing lost, damaged or stolen cards. More passes will be available than there are Cycle Hub spaces so a card will not guarantee a cycle parking space at busy times.
Other cycle friendly features of the Northgate development include outdoor cycle parking facilities for 50 cycles, and a cycle gully next to the steps at the east end of Princess Street. In addition, there is a cycle-only ‘contra-flow’ lane along Hunter Street which enables cyclists to turn right out of the car park to access Northgate Street.
The Chester Cycling Campaign was consulted during the planning stage for the Cycle Hub design and we offered our advice on how best to offer a variety of cycle racks suitable for a wide range of users. The Campaign hopes that the new facility will encourage more journeys to be taken by bike.
Just bought my RFID card and this resource is amazing. You’ve done a fantastic job in advising on the facilities. So many bikes around Chester it’s a real pleasure to see, mostly locked up with thin cable locks so maybe my excitement from a secure site like this is unnecessary but I can’t wait to make full use.