DESIGNA Goes Bike: Bavaria's First Bicycle Parking Garage

Chaotic conditions, bikes that are almost impossible to find again or damaged equipment - just some of the everyday experiences of many "pushbike commuters" in Germany's railway stations. The city of Bamberg wanted to put an end to such miseries, and together with DESIGNA, that's just what it has done! Enter the "Radhaus" (or wheelhouse), Bavaria's first bicycle parking garage. Fully automated, with direct access to the platforms, it has everything necessary for safely and conveniently storing what are often expensive two-wheeled rides.

What had long applied to motorised traffic is increasingly the case for bikes too now. Parking spaces are scarce and the demands of users are increasing. Fully-automated parking space management is what's needed - which is where DESIGNA comes in. A large proportion of our know-how from over 60 years' experience can be transferred seamlessly to this field, to the benefit of both users and operators.

330 spaces have been created in the old engine shed - a protected monument - at Bamberg Station. At the entrance a pressure-sensitive mat detects the presence of the bike, an ENT 120 access control device issues the ticket and the turnstile for the bike and its owner opens. As usual, payment is made at the automatic pay station, and for season parkers there are monthly and annual tickets too.

Riders can deposit their bikes with optimum protection round the clock for 50 cents a day and find them again easily when they return; the full year option only costs 70 euros. The otherwise generally conservative citizens of Bamberg have welcomed the new service with open arms - and, like all bike users, we hope there will be many imitators.

A television report about the "Radhaus" can be found at http://www.br.de/fernsehen/bayerisches-fernsehen/sendungen/abendschau/radhaus-bamberg-hofmann100.html