Cycle storage provision in new dwellings Advice Note: London Borough of Waltham Forest

Transcription

1 Cycle storage provision in new dwellings Advice Note: London Borough of Waltham Forest

2 Contents 1.0 Introduction and Policy Background Page Objectives Page Cycle storage solutions Page Further reading Page 15 2

3 1.0 Introduction and Policy background This advice note is intended to be used as design guidance by developers and Architects at pre-application stage. It is not a statutory document. However it is intended to provide detailed guidance towards implementing national, regional and local polices on cycle security and cycle use in the borough. Cycling is a sustainable form of transport and as such is widely supported in national, regional and local planning and transport policies. At a national level in PPS1, PPG 3 and PPG13: PPS 1 Delivering Sustainable Development 13 (i) Regional planning bodies and local planning authorities should ensure that development plans contribute to global sustainability by addressing the causes and potential impacts of climate change through policies which reduce energy use, reduce emissions (for example, by encouraging patterns of development which reduce the need to travel by private car, or reduce the impact of moving freight), promote the development of renewable energy resources, and take climate change impacts into account in the location and design of development. PPG 3 Housing 2. Local planning authorities should: seek to reduce car dependence by facilitating more walking and cycling, by improving linkages by public transport between housing, jobs, local services and local amenity, and by planning for mixed use. Source ODPM 2000 PPG 13 Transport 4. The objectives of this guidance are to integrate planning and transport at the national, regional, strategic and local level to: 1. promote more sustainable transport choices for both people and for moving freight; 2. promote accessibility to jobs, shopping, leisure facilities and services by public transport, walking and cycling, and 3. reduce the need to travel, especially by car. Source ODPM (v) Provide improved access for all to jobs, health, education, shops, leisure and community facilities, open space, sport and recreation, by ensuring that new development is located where everyone can access services or facilities on foot, bicycle or public transport rather than having to rely on access by car. Source ODPM

4 At a regional level the London Plan, GLA Transport Strategy and London Cycling Action Plan include the following: London Plan: Policy 3C.21 requires that UDP policies should: encourage provision of sufficient, secure cycle parking facilities within developments. Source GLA 2004 SPG: Sustainable Design and Construction Adapting to Climate change, essential standard: Design in facilities for bicycles. Source GLA GLA Transport Strategy: 18 The Strategy will encourage a shift to greener, more efficient travel options, and seek improvements to the environmental performance of all forms of transport. 21 The Strategy aims to improve people s access to jobs and services by enhancing public transport, walking and cycling so that they become realistic alternatives to the car for an increasing number of journeys. Source GLA 2001 GLA: The London Cycling Action Plan 2.1 Scope for change London has a high potential for being a cycling city: Bicycle ownership is high with approximately 1.4 million bicycles owned in London (TfL 2002). Around 32% of households in London own at least one bicycle (DfT 2002a). Most people know how to ride a bicycle. A recent survey of commuters at Waterloo station found that of 2000 individuals interviewed (all over the age of 16), only 3% had never ridden a bicycle (TfL 2002a). London s geography is ideal for cycling, as Central London and many parts of Inner and Outer London are relatively flat. LATS 2001 shows that 46% of all trips made by London residents are under a mile and nearly 85% are less than five miles (Table 1). 55% of all car trips are less than two miles long. There is clear potential for cycling to replace some short car and public transport trips. 3.5 Cycle parking at home: Encourage provision of good quality and secure parking for residents (particularly in regeneration areas and new developments), targeting places with known demand, a high proportion of people on low incomes. 4

5 Local Policy Waltham Forest Council has a transport strategy that aims to increase cycle usage amongst residents. The transport department is responsible for a network of cycle routes in the borough which amounts to 20 miles on main roads and 20 miles on quiet roads. In outer London 30% of households have no car (GLA 2001). In addition there are possible barriers for (cycling in) low-income households (that) could include the cost of bikes, lack of storage space and lack of security at home (GLA 2001). A short survey carried out by Waltham Forest in 2006 revealed that 50% of households surveyed had a bike but that 22% had problems storing them. Local policy includes the folllowing: Examples of cycle storage at train stations with smart card entry systems in Waltham Forest show the council s commitment to increasing cycle use in the borough Waltham Forest UDP Chapter 3 Housing: 3.33 good design and planning which makes it practical to live in a more environmentally sustainable way, with less noise, pollution and traffic congestion. Transport: TSP5 D) Seek to ensure that appropriate provision is made in new development for cycle parking in accordance with the Council s standards (see Appendix 2). F) Improve security for cyclists; Appendix 2: Cycle parking should be located close to building entrances to enhance convenience and security for users. 5

6 Conclusion Adequate cycle storage in residential developments is in line with national, regional and local policies. The council recognises that there is a need to provide secure cycle storage at home for residents in order to encourage increased cycle usage. Cycle storage in Greenwich Millennium Village 6

7 2.0 Objectives This section sets out the council s planning objectives in residential schemes towards meeting national, regional and local policies for increased cycle usage and security. The objectives of the council are to encourage the provision of an adequate number of secure, well designed and accessible bicycle storage in all new residential developments. Adequate number UDP policy is for 1 cycle space to be provided per dwelling (Appx 2) and applies to flats only. In the absence of local policy for dwelling houses the TfL guidance for 2 spaces per 3+ bed dwelling should be taken: C3 Dwelling house Flats 1 per unit Dwelling houses Source TfL: Cycle Parking Standards 1 per 1 or 2 bed dwelling, 2 per 3+ bed dwelling Schemes in excess of these minimum requirements will also be supported that provide storage space for every resident thereby encouraging 100% cycle usage. Security Cycle theft is a problem in residential areas and the council is seeking to address this in future developments. Bicycles locked to stands do not provide a suitable deterrent to thieves who are able to break most locks available on This scheme in docklands at Dollar Bay Court E14, has individual storage rooms in the common area that residents can use for a variety of storage. 7

8 the market. In addition bicycles left outside overnight are particularly vulnerable. Data from the Transport Research Laboratory shows that 17% of cyclists nationally had suffered bicycle theft in the past three years (TRL 1997). This has a dramatic effect on cycle levels. Some 24% no longer cycle at all and 66% cycle less often because of the risk of theft. There is a need for secure overnight parking facilities in residential areas. Theft figures show that more than 50% of reported bicycle thefts occur in and around the owner s home (TRL 1997). Source: GLA London Cycling Action Plan (2004) The council wish to see secure cycle storage solutions in all new dwellings. These should be located near entrances, well lit and with plenty of opportunity for natural surveillance. Open sided structures should be avoided as these provide shelter but a poor level of security for residents and visitors. Storage that is visible from the street or other public areas should be avoided to minimise risk of theft. Schemes will be favoured that incorporate cycle storage space within the envelope of the building, either within the dwelling itself or as part of the common area. Schemes that include underground or covered parking should provide lockable enclosures for bicycle storage within the car parking area rather than just cycle stands. Security should be provided by a key system or swipe card available to the residents only. A development of 80 apartments in Amsterdam provides space for more than 2 cycles per unit (shown in purple). Whilst this number may not be achievable in the UK, the position of the storage close to the entrance and generous spacing provides good access to cycles for residents. Tony Fretton Architects Ltd. In all instances there should be a lockable door between the public and the bicycle. 8

9 Larger schemes should include short stay parking for visitors. These could be external cycle stands close to the entrance of the building or development and with a high level of natural surveillance. Well designed Design of cycle storage space should be of high quality in terms of both layout and construction materials.the minimum storage requirements are: 1 cycle: 2m x 0.75m 2 cycles: 2m x 1.5m 4 cycles: 2m x 2.5m. This image from HTA Architects shows clever use of a courtyard space to include a covered area with cycle storage. HTA Architects Ltd. Surfaces within the storage space should be hard wearing and provide hold open doors to avoid damage by bicycle users. Materials should be in keeping with the rest of the development. Proposals which include overhead storage should be avoided as these are not suitable for the majority of potential cyclists. For single family dwelling units this scheme in Hackney has incorporated the storage into the garage space. HTA Architects Ltd 9

10 Accessible Cycle storage close to the entrance to the building will also encourage greater cycle use amongst residents. There is a balance between accessibility and security however, as the most secure option is to provide storage within the dwelling itself but this might not be the most accessible solution. Storage location will depend on the size and layout of the development. It should be recognised that good cycle space could also be used for other requirements such as buggies and other bulky items and equipment that residents need to store in their homes. This large residential scheme has cycle storage throughout the development. It includes storage within carparking areas as well as close to entrances. Proctor and Matthews Ltd. 10

11 3.0 Cycle Storage Solutions Single family dwellings Access from street Storage cupboard on ground floor, preferably close to entrance Secure covered storage in rear garden/courtyard is acceptable Adequate space for number of bikes depending on dwelling size Rear access available Street entrance Different options for positioning cycle storage either at the front or rear of the properties. Space may be allocated beneath the stairs. Subject to Building Control approval Maisonettes External/deck access with maximum one flight of stairs Storage cupboard at entrance level, preferably close to entrance door Adequate space for number of bikes depending on dwelling size Front entrance These maisonettes meet Housing Corporation requirements and include adequate storage for bicycles accessed either internally or externally. Flats Central storage of cycles Secure Close to entrance Maximum 10 cycles per lockable storage room Preference for storage within building fooprint Courtyard Front entrance Larger developments require grouping of cycle storage close to main entrances. These alternatives could be accessed from the front or through a private courtyard. Front entrance 11

12 This project is a development in Waltham Forest for Hadley Homes. The site plan shows a number of cycle units both within and outside the building. Both are within entrance and circulation areas and will provide cycle parking for residents and visitors. KDS Associates Ltd 12

13 The following schemes by bptw partnership show a variety of storage solutions for bicycles. Storage River Mill Park - This scheme has both storage in the common areas in one of the buildings and within the flats (opposite) for another. River Mill Park - Cycle storage within each unit bptw partnership. bptw partnership. 13

14 Storage Cherrydown West for Gentect Homes - This development has storage for a number of bicycles. It is close to the front entrance but not clearly visible from the street bptw partnership. Pepys - Again these units have their own indifvidual storage which could be used for other items as well as bicycles. bptw partnership. 14

15 National Planning Policy Documents PPS1 Delivering Sustainable Development PPG3 Housing PPG13 Transport all planning policy documents are available at Regional Policy Documents GLA London Plan SPG: Sustainable Design and Construction GLA Transport Strategy GLA The London Cycling Action Plan all GLA documents are available to download at Local Policy Waltham Forest UDP. Available at Other EcoHomes 2005 The environmental rating for homes. BRE 2005 available from see also the website of the London Cycling Campaign: Produced by: BORNAT ARCHITECTS architecture: urban design 72 Southborough Road London E9 7EE 15