Easylift Premium from VelopA: Raising the standard for cycle parking

Technical innovation and imaginative design by product manufacturers is greatly expanding the potential for property owners and operators to incorporate secure, user-friendly cycle parking and storage facilities into their sites. One of the stand-out cycle parking systems that has emerged in recent years is the Easylift Premium two-tier cycle rack from Dutch designer and manufacturer VelopA.

Whilst there are a number of two-tier cycle racks available in the UK, Easylift Premium is different because of the way it combines easy, reliable long-term functionality, with features to maximise ease of use and superior aesthetics. This all adds up to a cycle parking system that represents excellent value for site owners seeking to effectively meet the needs of existing cycle users and encourage more people to make their journey on two wheels.

Two-tier cycle racks help to maximise the parking capacity within available spaces. They can be used in indoor environments, such as within railway stations or dedicated cycle hubs, and outdoor spaces where they can be combined with shelters to provide additional protection from the elements.

Versatility and user-friendly design

Easylift Premium is the latest generation of VelopA’s two-tier bike parking system which allows cycles to be stored one above the other, thus doubling storage capacity in a given space at a stroke.

With centre-to-centre distances for each cycle parking location of 37.5cm, this system allows for 4, 8, 12 or 16 bicycles to be parked with a one-sided rack, or 8, 16, 24 or 32 cycles for a double-sided rack. And, because of the nature of Easylift Premium’s design, the core elements can be customised to create rows of any length to best suit the requirements of the space available.

One of the most important considerations when considering a two tier bike rack is how easy it is to use, particularly for those wishing to utilise one of the locations on the upper level. And here, Easylift Premium excels. It features integrated gas struts to help lift the bike into position and a unique system of dampers allow for a safe and controlled descent when removing the cycle.

Ergonomic design and safety are also maximised. The warm-to-touch, highly visible and non-slip handles, combined with a smooth glide action to pull the upper arm out makes the rack easy to use and any parts of the bike rack that project are protected with a guard to prevent injury.

Stability and security have been carefully considered in the design of Easylift Premium too. The wheel grips and the anti-roll-off security feature means each cycle is secure once in the rack, and cannot roll off the racks or bounce out of the gutters. There is also a drainage system for bike racks installed in unsheltered locations to prevent users being showered with rainwater when they pull out the rack.

All of this makes Easylift Premium a versatile choice for both supervised and unsupervised cycle parking facilities.

Supporting the growth of secure cycle parking

Some of the best examples of how Easylift Premium can be deployed are in secure cycle parking facilities. This is an area in which BSFG specialises, not only in terms of providing two-tier bike racks, but through the provision of a wide portfolio of products and systems including its range of pods, shelters, street furniture, smart solutions and bike accessories.

One example of how BSFG provided a secure bike parking solution using Easylift Premium is at Windsor Leisure Centre in Berkshire. Here, the local authority of Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead sought to provide cyclists with a protected space to park their bikes while using the Stovell Road wellbeing facilities.

The 24/7 monitored facility is completely enclosed, complete with a security entry system, and through the installation of the Easylift Premium system it offers 36 spaces on the two tier rack, as well as additional Sheffield stands, cargo stands and a pump and repair stand – all supplied by Cyclepods. Users can book a parking space on arrival, or in advance through an app, and entry to the secure parking area is protected by a keypad to ensure access is only possible for registered, ID-verified users.

A similar concept was adopted in a project at Whittlesford Parkway Station in Cambridgeshire where an increase in cycle parking provision was regarded as a key step in encouraging commuters and leisure travellers to switch away from driving their cars into Cambridge.

The goal here was to improve and increase cycle parking at both entrances to the station, and this included creating a hub for 220 cycle parking spaces. Many of the spaces were enclosed within a secure access-controlled area equipped with Easylift Premium two-tier racks provided by Cyclepods with a capacity for 88 bikes. The remaining 132 cycle parking spaces were provided in an open area, with all users being able to benefit from a repair station and pump.

A third project demonstrating Easylift Premium’s versatility is Poynton railway station in Cheshire. Here BSFG helped Northern Rail achieve space saving and secure cycle parking to support their objective to increase cycle use amongst rail users in a relatively constrained location.

The strategy involved making use of an unused area of the station car park near to the platform entrance, where Easylift Premium two-tier racks would be installed to maximise cycle parking spaces within a small area. This VelopA system actually features in the Northern Rail Station Design Guide as their preferred two tier rack, and at Poynton it was sheltered using the sturdy and durable Brighton shelter.

This created a cycle parking facility which is open at the back and sides to reduce the potential for loitering and vandalism. And, as the shelter was specified with a solid roof, the shelter is not blighted with algae growth or litter accumulation and the white underside of the roof reflects the light back down onto the racks to limit light pollution.

Sustainable, quality design from a respected manufacturer

The very fact that VelopA’s solutions help to encourage people to get outdoors and, in the case of Easylift Premium, encourage them to use a lower carbon form of transport, means the company is helping site owners and developers to create more sustainable, attractive spaces. But that’s only one of the reasons why BSFG partners with VelopA.

The company is a respected European leader in enhancing the appeal of public spaces, setting the standard for over 65 years. The company prides itself on its commitment to excellence through innovation and design and it has built a wide circle of clients in sectors including government, architecture, education, health care, business, construction and leisure.

Its drive to be continuously improving sustainability is evident in its choice of high-grade and sustainable materials for manufacturing, ensuring that VelopA’s solutions not only have a long lifespan, but also contribute to a more sustainable society.

In addition to targeting 100% reusability for its products, the company is cutting CO2 emissions from its processes. For example, in developing the Easylift Premium, the company was able to reduce CO2 emissions during the production process by 35%, equivalent to approximately 515 tonnes of CO2 annually.

Find out more about the Easylift Premium two-tier bike rack here.