New cycle parking lockers in city centre
New lockers where cyclists can park their bikes are coming to Cardiff Photo credit: Geograph
Cyclists in Cardiff will soon be able to lock their bicycles in parking lockers which are due to be installed in the city centre this summer.
The first phase of the project will start on August 1 with six lockers installed near Cardiff Castle.
A total of 30 units will be delivered in the first month of the scheme, which is funded by the Active Travel Fund, One Planet Cardiff and the Local Places for Nature programme.
A further 30 lockers will be in place by Christmas with a total of 100 units installed in the first year.
This is part of a wider five-year programme which will see cycle parking built in the city centre and in local shopping areas.
It comes after more than 1,000 bikes were reported stolen in 2024, according to a council report.
Cyclists have to book and pay between £1 and £1.50 a day for their locker via an online app in advance.
All lockers will have living roofs, enhancing biodiversity across the city centre and will be battery-powered.
An illustration of what the bike lockers will look like Photo credit: Cardiff Council
Cllr Dan De’Ath, cabinet member for climate change, strategic planning and transport said: “The Council is committed to improving the facilities for cyclists as we are fully aware there are issues with bike theft and damage to bikes in Cardiff. This is why we are developing a five-year programme which could see a variety of different secure cycling solutions delivered at key locations across the city.
“Although we initially hoped to provide these services for free, after engaging local cycling groups and the public - nearly 80% of whom were happy paying a small fee in exchange for a more efficient scheme, we found that a modest charge makes the scheme financially sustainable, so it can continue to expand into district shopping centres in areas like Cardiff Bay, Cathays, Roath, Llanishen and Heath.
“Throughout the project, we have also been working with the South Wales Police and security experts to ensure that the new lockers are safe and cannot be misused. By offering secure and reliable solutions for cyclists, we hope more people will dust off their bikes in their garage and start cycling again, confident that their bike will be safe when parked.”
Future potential locations include Queen Street, Churchill Way near the canal, Wood Street near O’Neils and Quay Street outside St Davids Hall, according to council documents.
The initial contract, awarded to Spoke Safe, will focus exclusively on the city centre while the contractor for the wider five-year programme is expected to be appointed later this summer.
As part of a separate scheme, the Council will also be piloting secure cycle hangers in residential areas and a local consultation will take place in the coming weeks on where the hangers could be located.
