Bike parking in Europe, towards new rules

Towards the final approval of the Green Homes Directive.Minimum community standards for bicycle parking in residential and non-residential buildings are foreseen for the first time.

In March the European Parliament should definitively approve the directive Green Homes relating to construction, which establishes for the first time minimum community standards on bicycle parking, for residential and non-residential buildings.In fact, on Monday 15 January, the text was confirmed by the Industry, Research and Energy Commission (Itre) of the European Parliament, voted by the majority after more than two years of negotiations.Now the question passes from Brussels to Strasbourg:all that is missing is the plenary vote.

The directive, concerning the modernization of buildings, energy saving and the reduction of polluting emissions, includes new rules for parking spaces dedicated to two-wheelers.A non-trivial element, which has discouraged the purchase and use of the bike as a means of daily transport.In fact, as highlighted in research conducted by ECF, theEuropean Cyclists' Federation, at the moment There are few European Union states that have rules of this type.It is in fact about six states out of the 31 analyzed, namely Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Ireland and Luxembourg.This would therefore be an important step forward for active mobility;no more gates, hidden corners, visible poles and more or less effective padlocks, but widespread and safe car parks where you can leave your bicycle, finally safe!

Bike parking, new arrivals

As anticipated, the review of the Green Homes Directive lasted years and reached a key moment in December, when an agreement was found in the trilogue between the European Commission, Parliament and Council.There are many measures for the modernization of the buildings, which represent approximately the 40 percent of energy consumption and 36 percent of CO2 emissions in Europe.

For bike parking, let's see the main innovations that will affect practically all buildings, new or renovated, intended for residential or office use.

• Residential buildings: two places bikes for each housing unit in new and renovated residential buildings with more than three parking spaces.This rule is based on the average household size in the EU, thus ensuring that the majority of residents in these buildings have access to bicycle parking.
• For new buildings non-residential and those undergoing major renovations, with more than five parking spaces: bicycle parking that correspond at least to 15 percent of the average or 10 percent of the total user capacity of the building.For existing non-residential buildings with more than twenty parking spaces, the same proportions apply and must be implemented by January 1, 2027.

Columns for e-bikes and space for cargo

Additional provisions are also included in the directive, such as the provision of charging infrastructure for electric bicycles in residential buildings.However, some are expected exceptions which allow Member States to limit or adapt the number of bicycle parking spaces in certain types of non-residential buildings or, in the case of residential buildings, under specific conditions.
Furthermore, parking spaces should provide space for bicycles larger than standard ones, such as cargo bikes.
Once published in the Official Journal of the EU and entered into force, Member States will have 24 months to transpose the directive into national law.Subsequently, the implementation will begin, which has the objective of bringing the entire building stock to zero emissions by 2050.