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Tue 4 Nov, 9:00 am UTC

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Are Cyclehoops the cycle parking solution?

By Richard Peace

Trials of Cyclehoops - stout steel rings that clamp onto existing street signposts, instantly creating secure bicycle stands -have recently started at 37 different locations in the London boroughs of Islington and Southwark.

Current locations include including Southwark Tube station, Borough Market, Union Street and Goswell Road.

The Cyclehoop first sprung to cycling prominence as a winning design at the Reinventing the Bike Shed competition, part of the 2006 London Architecture Biennale and was the brainchild of 27-year old designer Anthony Lau. He was motivated by the inadequate bicycle parking and the abundance of street signposts in London.

Cyclehoop claims several advantages over standard U-shaped Sheffield stands: less space is required, the pavement doesn’t need reconcreting and they can be easily installed within minutes using a special set of tools. Perhaps most promisingly there are countless opportunities for attaching them to signposts.

The low height of the Cyclehoop is said to discourage cyclists from locking to the top tube only – a contributing factor to theft – and the circular shape allows the cyclist to lock through the frame and both wheels. 

John Grimshaw, former Sustrans supremo has already spoken in favour of Cyclehoops: “I like this – it’s making the most of what’s in the street already, because they would be everywhere and so where you need them, and because they would legitimise cycle parking where you might be uncertain, for example in Central London.”

Lau is currently working on versions of Cyclehoop that will fit other types of street furniture.

User Comments

There are 7 comments on this post

Showing 1 - 7 of 7 comments

  • Nice product, but what is that bike (the fixed)........it looks sweet.

  • Don't think i would touch that myself... I reckon the chances of getting something on my hands a dog left are pretty high :-/

  • I think its a good idea myself as long as its carefully placed - so often people will chain up a bike here in places that cause a little obstruction.

  • "they can be easily installed within minutes using a special set of tools."

    Surely, this means that they can also easily be taken off too? It doesn't look very secure in that close-up picture.

  • Hi there,

    We work with the local council to choose signposts that are appropriately located. This will mean signposts that are too close to the curb or those on narrow pavements are avoided.

    In terms of security, the nuts that are used are break-off or shear nuts used for street furniture. Once they are bolted on they cannot be removed.

    If you want to find out more check out www.cyclehoop.com

    Btw, the bike is a steel frame from Brick Lane Bike Shop that I built up - my ride to work everyday.

  • Nice!

    Now maybe the areas of London that are barren when it comes to cycle parking (other than railings with the large friendly signs saying bikes locked will be removed) can get some cycle parking too?

    (What is it with that BTW? Councils want to encourage people to cycle but parking is their problem?)

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