Our review of cycle hubs and locker schemes in Greater Manchester

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has been rolling out secure bike parking facilities (cycle hubs) across the city since 2012; they also have secure lockers for cycle parking. In order to use the facilities, cyclists sign up to become a member of the cycle hubs and lockers.

TfGM approached Steer to undertake a review of cycle hubs elsewhere in the UK and Europe with the aim of understanding the factors which influence success and failure of these facilities, against which to benchmark their own hubs and locker schemes.

To deliver this study, we conducted an initial desktop review of cycle hubs and locker schemes, compiling case studies of each facility and their operation.

We then contacted and carried out interviews with multiple operators of cycle hubs across the UK and Europe. The Steer project team engaged with operators in Chelmsford, Leeds, Limerick, London, and Utrecht, among others. Our interviews focused on the specifics of their operations, issues they had encountered when developing the facilities, and what factors were important for high usage and commercial viability of the cycle hub or locker scheme.

Successes and outcomes

We collated the feedback from the multiple operators to develop a structured, evidence-based framework for the planning and operating phase of a cycle hub or locker scheme. This framework has since been used by TfGM to inform and update their guidance for cycle parking in Greater Manchester.