Cardiff council launched the scheme following a high number of bike thefts in the city
The first bike lockers were installed outside the castle this summer(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne)
Cyclists across Cardiff are now able to access 31 new secure bike parking lockers across the city aimed at tackling the major bike theft problem which has plagued the city’s streets in recent years.
The new lockers are now situated at seven different sites across the city after the first ones were installed outside Cardiff Castle during the summer. They cost cyclists between £1 and £1.50 per day but the council are also planning to install a long-stay parking option for residents.
The council said since the cycle hangars were introduced in August they have been used by 101 people and therefore enabled 465 journeys to and from the city centre in just under three months. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here.
Cardiff council plan for the scheme to expand further as part of a five-year programme which will see them pop up in city centre and local district shopping centres. In the first year of the scheme Cardiff council aims to install 100 lockers including in key locations in Cardiff Bay, Cathays, and Roath.
The aim of the initiative is to encourage cycling by providing safe and accessible ways to store bikes and help those who have been put off cycling by bike theft. In 2024 alone 1,074 bike thefts were reported to South Wales Police.
The programme has though proved controversial will some people suggesting they should only be located in shared spaces instead of being placed outside individual homes.
Those who lived near the proposed lockers raised concerns about how they may affect light, noise, and be distasteful to look at. The council has stressed that care has been taken to select well-lit sites which aren’t directly outside the entrances of properties.
The cycle hangars have been use by 101 individual users(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne)Where are the new bike lockers?
The additional bike lockers are at the following locations:
- Three lockers at Queen Street East
- Five lockers, and one cargo locker, in Tredegar Street
- Three lockers in Churchill Way
- Four lockers in Charles Street
- Four lockers in Westgate Street
- Five lockers at Wood Street HMRC
Cllr Dan De’Ath, cabinet member for climate change, strategic planning, and transport, said: “The initial data regarding the use of the new lockers on Castle Street has been very encouraging.
“There have been 101 individual users and the initial six lockers enabled 465 cycle journeys to and from Cardiff city centre in under three months.
“We are aware of the issues surrounding bike thefts in the city centre so this scheme is being expanded to allow cyclists to securely store their bikes at a small cost, giving them peace of mind and helping to prevent theft.”
He continued: “While we initially hoped to provide these services free of charge engagement with local cycling groups and the public revealed that nearly 80% were happy to pay a small fee in exchange for a more efficient scheme.
“This will allow the council to continue expanding the initiative into district shopping centres in areas such as Cardiff Bay, Cathays, Roath, Llanishen, and Heath.”