THE PARKING OF BICYCLES IN DUTCH CITY CENTERS

This paper discusses research, in which the effects of the most important factors (distance, price, quality, policy effects, and duration) on bicycle parking in city centers have been examined. Twenty different Dutch cities have been searched by different methods in order to draw general lessons about bicycle parking for policymakers and parking exploiters. Until now, the research has focused on determining simple relationships between the factors and the behaviour of cyclists parking their bicycles. Some of the policy measures are effective; an interdiction of parking in wild (outside parking facilities) can be effective if the maintenance is accurate and the capacity of parking places is sufficient. Other effective measures are the offer of guarded, free parking spaces and the realisation of a network of facilities accessible using the same season ticket. Location is however the most important factor of success for bicycle parking facilities. The quality is determinant in some ways: the entrance is very important when the facility is underground and if people have to pay for the facility they expect it at least to be covered. The fares are also important, but their effects can not be made clear by using simple relationships, because other factors can change the intensity of the effect very much. At this moment, the research is continued to determine the more complex relationships as well. The aim is to reconstruct an holistic view on bicycle parking behaviour. (A) For the covering abstract of the conference see ITRD E206312.