Secure bike parking at the proposed Glenorchy Sports Centre could mimic the state government’s yet-to-be-announced approach to Park and Ride security, creating a seamless system for users.
Bicycle Network has been advocating to state and local governments that a statewide approach to bike parking security would benefit riders.
Like the Easy Park app which is now used for car parking on private, state and local government land, one access system for secure bike parking could make it easier for people to use and encourage more people to ride.
The Glenorchy Sports Centre will be built on vacant land at Claremont College, on the other side of a new Park and Ride which is currently being constructed.
At a Tasmanian Parliament Public Works Committee hearing into the centre, Chair Jen Butler asked the Department of State Growth whether the Park and Ride secure bike parking system could be duplicated at the new sports centre.
Major Infrastructure Projects Director, Alex Barber, said the government will talk to Glenorchy Council about creating a similar system.
“We will try to implement [bike parking] so there is consistency across what is being proposed at the adjacent Park and Ride facility, the council I think even in a very brief conversation is very keen to explore what that looks like so we do get that consistency across.
“However that works, they will be a secure type bike storage planned for what we’re doing but we want to make sure it is consistent with the trials being undertaken at those Park and Rides that are under construction.”
Ms Butler expressed her desire to utilise current technology to make bike parking more secure.
“It should be able to provide bike users with that added safety measure and it might make them be more likely to ride to the facility … and feel quite comfortable with their bike being there for the day or the night.”
Bicycle access to the sports centre will be linked to the Intercity Cycleway through the Park and Ride. Glenorchy City Council also has a Cycling Plan that includes secondary cycling routes to link residential pockets and schools to the Park and Ride site.
The state government working with Glenorchy Council to implement consistent secure bike parking systems at the sports centre would be a welcomed first step towards a statewide approach.
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