Hopes 'brilliant' bike hangar scheme in Portsmouth could be expanded

Since the installation of lockable bike hangars in eight city roads in March, every space within the shelters has been booked up, with hopes that the scheme will be expanded.

Each hangar occupies around half an on-street car parking space and can fit six bikes - keeping them dry and safe.

For the first six-months of the trial it will be free to cyclists, with a charge of £30-a-year expected after that.

One cyclist, Eric De Greef, has been using a hangar outside his home in Eastfield Road along with his wife since it was installed.

The 53-year-old said: 'We were keeping our bikes in the garden and having to bring them through a shared alleyway. But we can now keep them dry and safe, which means they should last a lot longer.

'If more are installed more people will use them. I've had so many comments from passers-by when I'm unlocking my bike about how they're a good idea.

'I think at the moment they are mainly being used by people who already cycle but if we were to get more hangars I think it will encourage others to cycle.'

Ian Saunders, the chairman of the Pompey Cycle Forum, agreed: 'We would definitely like to see it extended,' he said.

'They act as an enabler for cyclists who live in terraces with forecourts who don't have anywhere to store their bikes.

'We would encourage people who are using them to lobby their ward councillors to extend the trial and also to get more hangars.'

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So far hangars are available in Manners Road, Lucknow Street, Eastfield Road, Addison Road, Hunter Road, Clarence Road, Guildford Road and Sultan Road

The council's transport boss, Councillor Lynne Stagg, said: 'I think they're brilliant, especially in Portsmouth where we just haven't for the room to store bikes.

'I know that we already have enough demand to install another 24 across the city.

'We have applied for some more funding so if we can get that I don't see any reason why we can't do so.'

Residents can nominate their road for a hangar in the future by visiting travel.portsmouth.gov.uk/bikehangars.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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