Massive demand for bicycle hangars in Brighton and Hove

Since installing 20 in July, Brighton and Hove City Council has installed 40 more, providing 360 cycle spaces across the city.

The Argus revealed last year the council’s plan to introduce 100 cycle hangars.

That has now increased to 150 cycle hangars to be installed by Spring next year, around 900 cycle spaces in total.

Councillor Steve Davis, co-chairman of the environment, transport and sustainability committee, said: “We’re delighted with the response we’ve had to our new cycle hangars. Residents have wanted them for a long time and this has been reflected in their popularity. 

Bike hangars in Kings Road, Brighton (Image: The Argus)

“We began with the installation of 20 in July and saw a 100 per cent take-up rate in just a few weeks. 

“Since then we have installed 40 more, and all but one of the total of 360 spaces have now been snapped up. This means that 359 residents now have somewhere safe and secure to store their cycles. 

“There are also around 300 people on waiting lists for spaces.”

Secure cycle parking is part of the council’s local cycling and walking infrastructure plan which aims to increase active travel in the city.

One of the council’s main projects is its extension of the cycle lane on the A259 at Kingsway in Hove.

The Argus revealed last year that fewer than one per cent of bicycle thieves in the city were caught. More than 900 bicycles were stolen in Brighton and Hove last year.

Bike hangars on the seafront (Image: The Argus)

Cllr Davis added: “We know that if we’re to get more people travelling actively and sustainably, we have to give them the right infrastructure.  

“Cycle hangars provide people who live in homes with little or no storage space an opportunity to store their bikes safely and securely. 

“Graffiti is a local, national and international problem. Cycle hangars are not immune to this, and we’re disappointed that a small number of hangars have been targeted.  

“Our Cityclean team works hard to try to remove graffiti as soon as possible after it’s reported. 

“To report graffiti and find out more, please visit our website.

“We aim to remove offensive graffiti within 24 hours of it being reported to us. If you see any please report it via our website or call 01273 295063.”