Richmond Council is set to approve the installation of up to 40 new bike hangars across the borough as part of an ongoing effort to expand cycle parking facilities. The decision was discussed at a meeting of the Transport and Air Quality Committee on Monday, March 16, 2026.
The committee was presented with an update on the council's cycle parking programme, which includes both cycle stands and bike hangars. The aim is to increase the availability of secure cycle parking to encourage more residents to choose cycling for their everyday journeys.
Councillors were asked to approve a consultation for the installation of up to 40 additional on-street bike hangars, including provision for cargo bikes. Following the consultation and consideration of any representations received, the council would then approve the installation of these units.
Determining Hangar Locations
The locations for the new bike hangars will be determined through a multi-stage process. This begins with an initial pre-consultation with ward councillors, followed by a formal public consultation. Coordination with parking and engineering teams is crucial to avoid competition for spaces with existing on-street car parking. A Geographic Information System (GIS)-based analysis has been completed, identifying potential locations off high streets, such as near doctor surgeries, gyms, and churches. Resident requests will be overlaid with these amenity locations. The narrow nature of pavements in Richmond town centre is also a key consideration, and any proposals will be subject to consultation, with closures requiring serious consideration of their impact.
Balancing Parking Needs
The council acknowledges that areas with the highest demand for bike hangars often coincide with high demand for on-street car parking. To address this, there is close coordination with parking and engineering teams to ensure that bike hangars do not occupy the same spaces as car parking. A careful approach is taken to measure the impact of these installations, and in some instances, it may not be possible to meet the full level of demand for bike hangars due to these constraints.
The report highlighted that the installation of bike hangars tends to increase overall demand, as it raises awareness and creates additional interest in cycling. This initiative is part of the council's broader efforts to encourage more residents to choose cycling for their everyday journeys, aligning with the goals outlined in the Transport Strategy to 2040.
