Tallinn prepares guide for construction of bicycle parking spaces
Tallinn has prepared a guide for the construction of bicycle parking spaces to provide an overview of the possibilities for creating bike parking facilities.
According to Deputy Mayor Madle Lippus, Tallinn aims to increase the share of cycling as a daily mode of transportation. To encourage this, guidelines for the construction of bicycle parking spaces have just been completed in addition to the construction of bicycle paths and various support measures by the city. “The lack of convenient bicycle parking facilities is one of the reasons that prevents the use of bicycles as a daily means of transportation,” said Lippus. “The purpose of the guide is to provide an easy-to-understand overview for those who would like to build bicycle parking spaces, but don’t know where to start. For me, this is also an inspiring example of a customer-oriented and service-based approach, as the guide has been prepared in cooperation with the city’s various institutions aiming to make the service as accessible as possible to the residents of the city.”
The guide outlines the necessary preliminary work for the construction of parking spaces, possible bicycle storage solutions, information on bicycle shelter grants and construction conditions. The bicycle storage solutions, such as building conditions for the construction of a bicycle park, a bicycle park with a canopy and a bicycle shelter, are specified. Additionally, the conditions for converting or modifying a storage space inside the building (e.g. a basement, garage, shed or other room) are described. In agreement with the city, apartment associations can build bicycle parking places on the city’s land bordering the properties. In this case, the request should be made and coordinated with the district government and the Tallinn Urban Environment and Public Works Department. When building a bicycle parking space, security must be taken into account; parking the bicycles in a visible area reduces the risk of theft. The best protection for a bike is a secure lock.
Apartment associations that have built bike sheds for storing bicycles and scooters on the apartment building’s properties (including solutions with a canopy and mesh walls) or have converted rooms in the apartment buildings to store bikes can apply for bike shed grants within six months after the completion of the works. Additionally, it is possible to get grants for the installation of bicycle and scooter battery charging devices in the outdoor area, bike shed or indoor space. The grant can cover up to 70% of the cost of construction work. The maximum grant for one apartment building is €10,000. The application for the bike shed grant must be submitted via the self-service environment of the Tallinn Project and Operating Support Information System (TTR). To receive the grant, it is necessary to follow the construction requirements and the regulations for the bike shed grant.
When building bicycle parking places, all legal requirements must be followed. When building a canopy or bike shed or converting an existing space into a bike storage place, the requirements of the Building Code must be followed.