A pilot project will see new on-street bike storage trialled in up to six Edinburgh streets to see if it helps encourage more people to take up cycling.
People living in tenements and other flats can sometimes find it difficult to store cycles because of issues to do with shared access and building or planning regulations. While householders may have options in their stairwell or garden, the Council’s support is required for on-street storage.
Talks will now take place to identify the best locations and types of storage for the pilot project.
Transport Convenor Councillor Gordon Mackenzie, who also chairs the Council’s Cycle Forum, said cycle storage is an area the Council wants to do more.
"Making it easier for people to use bikes is important for reducing congestion, but it’s also a great way to keep fit and see the city from a different perspective.”
The storage will cost around £50,000 to install, with maintenance being managed by the Council’s neighbourhood teams, although residents will be asked to help with their operation.
Councillors will discuss the proposal at the Transport, Infrastructure and Environment committee on Tuesday 21 February.
If approved, the Council expects that the work is likely to be completed in late 2012 and early 2013.
The capital funding for the project has been provided from this year’s budget.
Among other cycling initiatives coming to fruition in Edinburgh are two major cycle schemes that are due to open in spring 2012: a "Quality Bike Corridor" between King’s Buildings and the city centre, and a new ‘Family Network’ cycle route between Leith Links and Portobello Promenade.
Last week, Edinburgh City Council made a commitment to spend a minimum of 5% of its transport budget on cycling for 2012/13, an increase of around 70% on 2011/12.
The Council says this will help to develop a ‘Family Network’ of safe, signed, cycle routes across the city along with other improvements for cyclists.