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Date: 03 Oct 2024
Category: City regeneration and development
Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Micky Murray and Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd have visited Queen’s University Belfast to launch three unique on-campus cycle parking facilities at a ‘Transforming Travel Through Partnership’ event.
The cycle parking facilities have been part-funded by Queen’s and supported by Belfast City Council, with funding from the Department for Infrastructure. The project is part of a Belfast City Council initiative to develop a network of secure cycle parking locations, supported by the Department for Infrastructure through the Active Travel Enablers Fund.
The new, all-inclusive, cycle parking infrastructure at Queen's University Belfast main car park, near the Peter Froggatt Centre, is setting a new standard for cycling facilities in Belfast, encompassing a fob access e-bike parking facility, with accompanying battery charging cabinet. A second, new open canopy shelter, also in the main Queen’s car park, is designed for bike commuters with disabilities, cargo bike users and other non-standard cycles. Beyond the main site, there is also a new fob access bike shelter at Queen's University's Physical Education Centre (PEC).
The project is all about embracing active travel as people lessen car dependency behaviours; and supporting health, well-being, and sustainability – all part of the Bolder Vision for Belfast. Partners Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast City Council and the Department for Infrastructure have worked together to create these inclusive, accessible, and secure cycle facilities for a range of users including students, staff, and the wider community.
Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Micky Murray said: “I’d like to congratulate the project team in Queen’s University Belfast and Belfast City Council who have worked so well together to ensure that these new secure bike parking facilities are accessible to all, as they include bike parking for people with disabilities and cargo bike parking with step free access. This project shows us what’s possible when we collaborate with shared goals, a common vision, and a will to deliver for both the university and the wider community. It also demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to inclusive cycling infrastructure and has the potential to be a real game changer for many bike commuters in the area.
“As a council, we’re committed to embedding climate resilience and sustainability in all our future projects, and supporting active travel is central to this. By investing in secure cycling facilities, we’re helping people to shift to more sustainable, climate conscious modes of transport. It’s great to know that bike commuters can now safely and confidently store and charge their bikes after their commute, ready for their onward journey. This project benefits the wider city too – decreasing congestion, improving air quality, and helping to create a more liveable, healthier city for all. Including E-bike charging as part of a secure parking facility is a significant step forward for Belfast – with the only other location currently being Stormont estate – and I look forward to seeing other organisations being inspired to deliver similar facilities.
“As cyclists know, every turn of the wheel is a revolution – so let’s keep the wheels turning in our move towards more active travel in Belfast. Congratulations to all involved.”
Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd said: “I’m really pleased that my Department could provide £53k funding for this project and work with Queen’s University and Belfast City Council to see it delivered. The opening of this publicly available e-bike charging facility, together with safe and secure storage for non-standard bicycles, including handcycles, recumbents and cargo bikes, shows that cycling can be inclusive and accessible for all ages and abilities.
“I look forward to seeing students, staff and the general public make good use of these facilities and consider cycling as an alternative to the private car for making shorter everyday journeys. Choosing to walk, wheel or cycle can help people beat congestion, improve their health and wellbeing and reduce their carbon footprint.”
Queen’s President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Ian Greer added: “The climate crisis is one of the most significant challenges facing society today, which is why Queen’s has pledged to achieve Net Zero by 2040. As an anchor institution, we are committed to leading the way, with our partners, to help Northern Ireland’s transition to a Net Zero society.
“To help achieve our Net Zero goal and encourage active travel we have a responsibility to provide the infrastructure to make it easier for people to travel sustainably. This new cycling infrastructure is a best-practice example of what can be achieved when partners work together to create solutions.
“These three new facilities are the first of their kind in Belfast. As well as providing secure cycle parking for 54 cycles, they also provide parking for non-standard cycles, including cargo bikes and recumbent cycles. One of the facilities is also home to the first publicly accessible free E-Bike charging provision in Belfast.
“We hope that this unique infrastructure will provide secure parking for those who already cycle, and that by reducing the barriers and creating more and accessible cycle parking, that it will encourage more people to cycle as their preferred mode of transport, leaving the car behind.”
For more information, go to www.belfastcity.gov.uk/activetravel