World's largest underground bicycle parking facility opens in Netherlands

The largest underground bike parking facility in the world has completed its first stage in Netherlands. Located beneath the Central Station of Utrecht, this facility has been designed by Ector Hoogstad Architecten.

According to a World Economic Forum video, cyclists were struggling to find a parking space near the station. Thus, this parking facility was opened which now provides 6,000 parking spaces spread out on three levels.

This is, however, the first stage of the project, and the plan is to open nearly 1,500 more parking spaces over the next few months. As per the plan, the facility will measure 17,100 square metre and have 12,500 parking spaces by the end of 2018.

The present title-holder for the world’s largest bike parking facility is the Kasai underground station in Tokyo which can house up to 9,400 bicycles. The bicycles are automatically parked in a 15-metre deep basement. Though, by the end of 2018, Netherlands will beat Tokyo to achieve this title.

The parking facility, known as Stationsplein Bicycle Parking, is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Managed by the municipality of Utrecht, government body, and state-owned operator NS (Dutch Rail), this facility has been designed to make the railway and bus station more accessible.

This is the only bicycle parking lot where indoor cycling is permitted. This manned and monitored facility has a one-way system of ramps using which the cyclists can enter and exit the space.

The facility is available to the cyclists for free during the first 24 hours, where there is a digital-system guidance. A public-transport chip can be used to park in these spaces, and there is a service point available for repairs, maintenance, parts, and accessories.

Funded by private investors, space for another 11,000 bicycles will be created around the station for employees and visitors. A total of 22,000 bicycle parking spaces will be available in the station area.

According to Dezeen, a statement released by Utrecht’s municipality said,

It is the ultimate wish to have as many bicycle racks as there are bicycles, so that all cyclists can park their bicycle in a rack.

Do you have an interesting story to share? Please write to us at [email protected]. To stay updated with more positive news, please connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.