The UK already has a reasonable number of designated cycle-parking spaces, and your local council can often advise on where to find them. But, let's take a city like London - if it had a truly easy-to-use cycle-parking system for thousands of cycles, would it help ease congestion and pollution?
Well, take a look at the wonders performed by Tokyo's high-tech cycle storage solution, as shown by The Washington Post in the following clip:
The remarkable cycle-storage system was built next to one of Tokyo's busiest subway stations, and aims to serve the estimated 700,000 daily bicycle commuters.
The solution cost in the region of $67 million, but it appears to be a remarkable answer to many cyclist's problems. It makes it easy to find a parking space for your cycle, there's no need for an awkward security lock, and it's likely to encourage others to begin cycling, too.
Users simply purchase an $18 monthly pass, and attach a tiny electronic tag to their cycle. When they arrive at the underground garage - via a set of cycle-friendly stairs - they roll in, push a button, and the robotic arm takes the cycle away for underground storage.
Come back at the end of your day, swipe your card and your cycle reappears in around 10 seconds. The system stores 9,400 cycles, and it claims to have caused a 20 per cent rise in neighbourhood cycling.
The downside, of course, is that the robotic-system is likely to consume large amounts of power - somewhat defeating the purpose of the eco-friendly cycle. On the other hand, it'll clear up the large number of cycles stored outside train stations.
We wonder how such a system would fare in London - underground cycle storage, coupled with the dreaded congestion charge, could be a winning formula.
