Parkiteer: secure bicycle parking at public transport nodes in Melbourne

Peak-period overcrowding on Melbourne's rail network saw a search for solutions to reduce congestion. One measure involved banning bicycles on peak-period trains in early 2008. This decision was overturned after a public outcry, causing a search for other solutions to reduce the number of bicycles carried on trains. One solution was to introduce secure bicycle parking at selected railway stations across the rail network, providing alternatives to cyclists who rode to the station but took their bicycles on the train due to concerns of theft or vandalism. During 2008, 23 bicycle cages were constructed, with innovative features such as electronic card access and solar power supply. These cages, marketed as 'Parkiteer' are managed and maintained by Bicycle Victoria under contract to the Department of Transport. The introduction of the Parkiteer cages has seen a reduction in numbers of bikes carried on trains during peak periods and also a shift in the habits of some public transport users riding instead of driving to the station. In the devolved public transport environment found in Victoria, Parkiteer shows how the government, as custodian of the public transport system must positively engage with and influence the various actors within the public transport system to reach the desired outcome, which was the delivery of over 20 bicycle cages at metropolitan and regional railway stations.