Bike parking docks emerge in Tel Aviv parking lots

The parking docks will help deter potential bike thieves, while also enabling clearer sidewalks for pedestrians.

By SHARON UDASIN
Bike parking 370 (photo credit: Courtesy municipality)
Bike parking 370
(photo credit: Courtesy municipality)
The Tel Aviv-Jaffa Municipality – in cooperation with the municipal company Ahuzot Hahof – has begun installing bicycle docking facilities in urban elevated parking garages, the city announced on Thursday.
Providing cyclists with these types of parking options will allow them to lock their bikes in organized spaces with illuminated entries and exists, which are typically manned by security guards or patrols, the partners said. In addition to deterring potential thieves from bike theft, the gradual shift toward allowing bike docking in parking facilities will enable clearer sidewalks and the free passage of pedestrians and strollers.
“The city of Tel Aviv-Jaffa does not cease in searching for solutions to optimize transportation and parking in the city and to provide alternative solutions and a healthy environment,” said Mayor Ron Huldai. “Tel Aviv-Jaffa has been transformed into a city of bicycles, and today more and more people see them as legitimate, comfortable and efficient transportation vehicles. The idea of bicycle docks in parking lots is designed to encourage cycling and, at the same time, to clear the sidewalks and allow for pedestrians to move freely.”
In the project’s first stage, several parking lots have already been prepared for pilot programs, and bicycle docking equipment has been ordered. At each pilot parking facility there will be about 20 spaces for bike parking, with a total of about 160 spaces in the various locations throughout the city, according to the project partners. The initial parking lot list includes lots at the Sheraton, HaTachana, the Etzel Museum, HaCarmel, the large car park at Yehoshua Gardens, Golfitek, the economics department at the social sciences department at Tel Aviv University.
“Even if it is impossible to prevent theft 100 percent, I am confident that we will succeed in enhancing the deterrence ability, and and the possibility of catching bike thieves and revealing them in the media,” said Ofer Shachal, chairman of Ahuzot HaHof. “If we learn that there is a demand, we will work toward preparing bicycle parking lots in a maximum number of our parking lots.”


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