Survey Results

Thank you for taking part! You have contributed to bringing the solution a step closer. Here is an excerpt of the survey results.

A Need?
Around 62 people from around the world have taken part in the survey and the results shown that a large majority want an affordable, safe and secure bike parking system.

Where?
The survey listed major congregation points such as railway, bus and subway stations, office complexes, inner cities, metropolitan areas and shopping centres. There was also a wish to have such facilities at schools and universities. Generally just about everywhere in cities. The results show that around 70-90% of respondents wish to have such facilities at these places.

A Charge?
A majority of users are indeed willing to pay a reasonable fee to use such a facility. Though these survey results show that a large majority are for such fees, experience has shown that around 50% of users will be willing to use and pay for such a facility. As and when insurance companies start factoring in security of bike parking, as is done with automobiles today, there will be a marked influence on insurance premiums. Among various factors that play a role are ease and security of use. A system that requires entering buildings or parking underground tend to put off many, especially women. The key lies in tackling this problem and offering a solution avoiding these pitfalls.

How Often?
Respondents have shown that a facility operating 24/7 is preferred. There is a strong need to have the reassurance that a bike can be parked at any time of the day or night with no risk of theft or damage.

Use Your Bike More Often?
If such a facility is available, people are willing to use their bikes more often. In effect, among other factors such as bike lanes etc., undoubtedly this would go some way in encouraging use of bikes in cities.

Combination of Bike Parking and Renting?
The flexibility of using one’s own bike or renting one plays a role in the freedom to choose with a 50-50 split. Having said that, this is an important factor for those who seek to rent a bike in a quick and easy manner, especially when one does not use one’s own or even own a bike.

Comments
Quite a few comments have been added in the survey. Check out a few below:

Additional requirements: guaranteed space (to avoid taking an expensive bike to the station, only to find out that there is no space available) and a facility for simple maintenance (e.g. facility to inflate tires).
I would think that secure bike parking would be a priority at night – for example, say I was out late with friends.
The facility needs to provide (potential) users with the reassurance that if the machine breaks down (e.g. when you want to pick up your bike at night after arriving at the station with the last train) they can still get to their bike somehow.
Maybe these facilities would do well at transit/rail stations outside the centre. If folks could ride a mile or 2 to a rail, bus, or tram stop then safely park for the day, and feel 100% confident that the bike will not be stolen/tampered with, that would be extremely important. Then when you get to the city centre, or inner city…that’s where you could pick up a bike share if needed. We need safe cycling routes to rail/bus park and rides then! And of course to schools, with 5 mph speed limits within any bike crossings during school transport times.
Having a safe, secure place to park my bike is a major plus–I can go about my business on my bike and not be worried it will be stolen or ruined by the elements.
Ride a bike. It’s fun!
Go go go!!!