FREE cycle parking available for South Essex businesses

March 11, 2020 by Emily Mertens

A new form of bicycle parking is being offered – free of charge – to employers in south Essex.

Businesses in Southend, Basildon, Castle Point, Thurrock, Grays, Lakeside and Rochford can apply for a bike hangar, worth a whopping £2,900, to be installed on their premises. 

The ParkThatBike scheme is part of a campaign by ForwardMotion to get more people to use bicycles, walking or public transport instead of cars.

All the employer has to do is pay £300 for delivery and installation, with the bike hangar being completely free of charge.

These lockable shelters provide secure, weatherproof storage for up to four bikes with locking points for users to secure their bikes. For extra security, the hangar door can also be locked.

The aim of this scheme is to make it easier for people to access education, jobs and skills using healthy, physically active forms of travel such as walking and cycling.

Additional benefits of the project include better air quality, lower carbon emissions, and reduced traffic congestion. 

So far four bike hangars have been installed, the first went to Cantel Medical (UK) based in Shoeburyness. Neil Blewitt, Managing Director, commented: “Cantel are dedicated to improving employee health and well-being, and having a bike hangar installed on-site is a positive step in our plans. Thank you to ForwardMotion and ParkThatBike for this fantastic scheme – we look forward to putting it to good use.”

Any organisation that can demonstrate a commitment to cycling and sustainable travel is welcome to apply for a free bike hangar. A ForwardMotion travel advisor will visit the applicant to offer activities such as cycle skills training, guided rides, cycle maps and help with route planning and bike maintenance – all free of charge. Applicants are expected to book at least one activity before they receive their bike hangar.

Cllr Ron Woodley, chair of the South Essex Active Travel Sponsoring Board, said: “I think this is a great initiative to encourage local businesses to in turn, encourage their workforce to think of alternative and more sustainable transport methods. I would urge businesses to consider these for their properties to help promote sustainability and enhance the health and wellbeing of their staff.”

You can apply for a bike hangar or bike stands on behalf of your business by phoning 01594 564 344 or online at www.parkthatbike.info/bikehangars.