Abstract

The subject of this work is cycle parking in town centres in an urban design context.The research explores whether cycle parking design solutions for Britain, and Oxford in particular, can be taken from the Dutch experience of high cycle use. The cycling policies of the UK and The Netherlands governments are briefly summarised. Cycle parking guidance in both countries are briefly reviewed. Research was undertaken in the Dutch towns Groningen, Leeuwarden, Hoorn, Kampen, Sneek and Lemmer; and in Oxford. The primary research methods used were a combination of qualitative interviews with local authority practitioners, quantitative surveys and observation. The concluding chapter discusses Dutch cycle parking design; design of cycle stands; pedestrianised streets; attended cycle parking; and planning. A cycle parking strategy for central Oxford is suggested.

ConclusionThe main benefit of carrying out research in The Netherlands was that the high level of cycle use brought the main issues of town centre cycle parking into focus. On the evidence of this study Dutch towns are still developing their cycle parking strategies and are far from having solved all problems associated with providing secure, safe and 135
convenient cycle parking in town centres. Nevertheless, the boldness of the approach in that country has resulted in cycle parking models that can be learned from and applied with profit in Oxford and in Britain generally.
For further research, two areas might be explored. One would be to carry out similar studies in major European cities with high cycle use. Large cities were beyond the scope of this work. Secondly, whereas the research method of this work placed importance on the experience of local authority practitioners, it may be of value to carry our research that focused more on potential and actual cycle users.
This project set out to explore cycle parking practice in Dutch town centres to find out whether aspects of the Dutch experience could inform planners in Oxford and a more cycled Britain in future. The evidence obtained suggests that there is much that is transferable to this country. In both countries there is concern to improve town centres and preserve their heritage. The Dutch have shown that positive measures to encourage cycle use are intrinsic to these aims.

Dutch cities in the research: Groningen, Leeuwarden, Hoorn, Kampen and Sneek