We designed, built, and operated 21 cycle parking sites over all 13 venues of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games
Providing a safe and secure place for spectators, workforce, volunteers, and residents to park their bikes, helped reduce traffic and carbon emissions throughout the Midlands
Context
Active travel, the self-propelled movement by foot or on a pedal bicycle, played an integral role in achieving Birmingham 2022's aim of being the most sustainable Games yet. In securing the rights to host the Games, the region committed to providing an efficient and reliable transport network; one that minimised the impact on everyday users.
Now, more than ever, active travel has a greater role to play in securing any major events' social, economic and environmental recovery, which can be maximised through enhancing and integrating more active travel opportunities into event transport planning.
Project
Commonwealth Games Birmingham 2022
Working with Transport for West Midlands we combined our love of cycling, and our ambition to increase active travel, by providing something Birmingham has needed for a long time - SECURE CYCLE PARKING!
We aimed to reduce traffic on the roads and minimise the environmental effects of carbon emissions. Our dedicated team built 21 compounds over 13 venues enhancing the existing network of cycle parking with over 5,000 dedicated cycle parking spaces, delivering a low-carbon active travel solution.
Cyclists were able to leave their bikes, unlocked, with their helmets and other bike related possessions throughout the day, allowing them a worry free experience whilst having a positive impact on the environment.
Our secure facilities provided cycle racks enclosed by a fenced perimeter. During operational hours, cycle parking stewards ran a cloakroom-style ticket system providing users with uninterrupted supervision of their cycles.
To make sure that facility users had the best possible experience:
+ Users were provided with a wristband for themselves and one for their bike with matching serial numbers, that must be presented and matched when returning to collect cycles
+ Users were asked to leave a contact number for emergency use
+ All cycles must be removed by users prior to closure of the cycle parking facility
+ Users who did not return in time were sent a message prompting collection or bikes to be removed and stored securely overnight in a local warehouse.
Our Commitment
Not only were we offering the service to customers for free, but we were also adopting these practices in-house. Our staff were committed to using electric cars, electric bikes and eCargo bikes, pedal bikes and e-scooters to commute around the city throughout the 2 weeks.
We didn't deliver a 'carbon neutral' operation. but a ZERO CARBON
Equivalent to: 5000 km in an Average Car/Diesel Car/Large Diesel Car above 2.0 litre average value
Project Partners
Planning & Operations
On-venue cycle parking was provided at all Games venues with the scale of the parking based on the estimated demand from the Spectator and Workforce Access Tool (SWAT).
The design of the space considered factors such as the space available on venue, existing security arrangements and the need to store additional items such as helmets, cycling shoes and backpacks. Additional considerations were also given to those wishing to store larger adapted cycles such as hand cycles or tricycles.
The planning of our cycle parking was led by TfWM and supported by the Organising Committee’s Venue Transport team. The SWAT informed us of how many spaces were required and further estimates were made about the number of e-scooters, e-bikes, WMCH and pedal bikes, based on the current number of spectators that were expected.
Further refinement of the estimates were carried out in conjunction with those operating the cycle hire and e-scooter programmes to ensure realistic values were used throughout the planning process.
Estimated Cycle Parking Demand
Venue by venue cycle parking demand was taken from the SWAT model, along with estimates for e-scooters/e-bikes and the WMCH across targeted venues.Estimated demand for venues that hosted un-ticketed spectators was reviewed upon the completion of the third iteration of the venue planning cycle. Once details of services to un-ticketed spectators at venues like Cannock Chase or Sutton Park (such as toilets) were available we began to create different planning scenarios to support these venues.
On-venue Cycle Parking Operations
On-venue cycle parking needed to be large enough to handle the anticipated demand and secure enough to ensure a positive cycling experience for spectators and workforce alike. A gold, silver, bronze approach was used to determine the level of experience being provided at each venue for a cyclist. Where demand was anticipated to be high (such as, on routes connected to the GRV), TfWM and the Organising Committee delivered a high level of service, providing a staffed and secure cycle parking location on venue. Where demand was expected to be low, TfWM ensured that at minimum, cycle parking is available near to the venue, however, the parking was not staffed. All cyclists using any of the promoted cycle parking spaces provided on venue was secure and safe.
Let’s find a #planetfriendly solution for your event
People’s words
Who we’ve worked with
