Storing a bicycle safely at home is a problem for many users, faced with the absence of garages or storage rooms, or with elevators that are too small. For many, the solution is to choose folding bikes, for others to leave their vehicle on the street, at the mercy of theft, and for still others not to have a bike at all. With this in mind, EMEL is creating a series of parking lots protected by railings, codes and video surveillance in its underground car parks throughout the city.. The first of these is coming on stream at Lumiar.
They are called BiciPark and occupy a small space in EMEL's underground car parks. Access is via the ramp that cars use, and there is an indication that bicycles can enter by passing next to the gate. Then just follow the markings on the ground until you reach the BiciPark. You swipe your card - which is the same Lisboa Viva card that gives you access to public transport - and just leave your bike secured by the frame at one of the available points. The space is safe: in addition to a railing that protects the bikes, access can only be gained by those who have purchased parking in the park, and there are also video surveillance cameras nearby.
Contacted by Lisboa Para Pessoas, EMEL explains that "The BiciPark service will consist of a network of enclosed bicycle parking lots throughout the city of Lisbon. The one in Lumiar is the first to be used to test the service, but we'll soon have news about the expansion of these facilities to other EMEL parking lots". BiciPark has been specifically designed to meet the needs of regular bicycle users on medium-long stops (8-48 hours). It has individual racks for conventional and cargo bikes that allow the frame to be tied to the rack for greater stability and safety.
"BiciParks are closed, communal spaces with controlled access, which means that only customers of the service can access them. Access is via the Lisboa Viva card, which must be activated when EMEL operators sign up for the service in the parks where the BiciParks are installed. When you go to the door of the Bicipark, just swipe your card in the reader installed next to the door and it will unlock automatically."explains the company. EMEL explains that the choice of a card rather than a mobile application (such as GIRA) was based on a survey of bicycle users in the city of Lisbon. "We also want to ensure that users without more sophisticated cell phones or without battery power on their phones have access to the BiciPark."
BiciPark do Lumiar, which occupies three former parking spaces, is available during the same hours as the parking lot, i.e. from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., and is located close to the Metro. The service costs 7/monthLisbon residents who not holders of a resident's badge, green badge or EMEL parking permit have free access. "The BiciPark service will consist of a network of enclosed bicycle parking lots throughout the city of Lisbon"the company explains. "The Lumiar parking lot is the first to be used to test the service, but very soon we will have news about the expansion of this equipment to other EMEL parking lots."
