A rudimentary calculation of a 5% p.a. return on investment on the Urbrae real estate taken up by a parking space is around $300-$600 per year. Using basic bicycle parking (a metal rack) you can easily park 6 bicycles (up to 12 using hanging facilities) in the same area - so we are looking at $50 - $100 per year.
Should motorists be paying the difference? If not, should cyclists, public transport users and pedestrians get a $250-$500 bonus in their pay packets each year?
Fat chance. But we should at least have appropriate facilities to store our bikes. It is evident that the Holmes bike racks are near capacity, and the number of bikes in offices and chained to posts and fences around the place is increasing.
It is no coincidence that 3 people have independently suggested that the Cornish Undercroft carpark be converted to a secure lock up for bicycles (thanks to Marc and Kerryn!). This is a brilliant idea. All it would require is 3 sides of fencing, some racks, and a gate with swipe card access. Throw in a few hooks for wet weather gear on a rainy day and we have solved some of the biggest obstacles to bicycle commuting at this site.
What are your thoughts?
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3 comments:
Ryan
A quick email. Due to the close proximity of town and shared campus the city has 2 good look up facilities for bikes which are worth having a look at. One is in an old converted car park
Rebecca
Being a regular cyclist as well as a worker housed in one of the offices backing onto the Cornish undercroft, I'm all for a secure bike facility in that area. The benefits the lock up would provide would be, from a personal perspective, compounded 10-fold by the removal of the obnoxious smelling vehicles parked at head height and less tham a metre from my desk. I'd be able to open my window for fresh air if the space was filled by cycles rather than cars. Be warned that there'll be some very stiff opposition from a couple of well-connected regular users of the carpark in question.
I wonder how many bikes are parked in offices, and how many people are forced to leave wet gear in offices due to the lack of security at the bike racks and a lack of lockers?
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