Chance To Apply For Free Cycle Parking Stands

Chance To Apply For Free Cycle Parking Stands

Businesses and voluntary sector groups in County Durham can apply for free cycle parking stands and hangars after a new deal was agreed.

It comes after Durham County Council and community and business cycle parking scheme ParkThatBike signed a three-year contract to provide the stands for suitable locations.

Shops, offices, cafés, pubs, churches, dental practices and surgeries can also apply for the stands, with various designs available.

The new contract includes a new offer of bike hangars for six workplaces to apply for, allowing secure storage for longer-stay cycle parking. Workplaces who apply will be required to carry out additional measures to encourage and support anyone travelling to work by cycle.

Good quality cycle parking reduces the likelihood of bikes being stolen or damaged and is a great way to support the increase in people cycling for travel and exercise purposes.

It is hoped that the stands will also help businesses in County Durham as they recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

The successful initiative between the council and ParkThatBike has been running for six years, with over 500 stands installed across the county. The scheme is usually over subscribed and the waiting list from last year is still being cleared.

Cllr Carl Marshall, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “Cycling is a healthy way to travel and exercise and we expect to see many businesses and other organisations applying to have a stand installed, improving local communities and the environment in the process.

“By providing more free parking stands we are hopefully encouraging more people to cycle regularly as well.”

The bike stands are free of charge, but the applicant is responsible for installing them on their own property in an approved location.

Those in County Durham looking to apply for a free cycle parking stands should go to https://www.parkthatbike.info/ and select “County Durham” from the drop down menu.

For further information about cycling, including advice on safety and security, go to https://www.durham.gov.uk/cycling