MediaCityUK to get 24-hour cycle hub made out of shipping containers

Plans have been revealed for a new, secure bike hub at MediaCityUK in Salford. The 24-hour facility will be made out of shipping containers with space for 300 bikes.

The hub is being developed by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and The Peel Group with the aim of encouraging more people to commute to MediaCityUK by bike. It will be located behind Orange Tower, which is home to ITV and the University of Salford, and will also be close to the BBC’s Dock House.

The premises will be constructed from four repurposed shipping containers which will be linked together and covered by a vaulted glazed roof to allow plenty of natural light. The facility will be protected by CCTV and users will require a swipecard to enter.

Standard membership, at £10 a month or £100 for a year, will give access to cycle parking only. Premier membership, which is twice the price, will provide access to showers, changing facilities and a personal locker in addition to cycle parking. Members will also be able to use the cycle hubs in Rochdale, Bury and Ashton-under-Lyne.

The council is aiming to increase the current rate of cycle commuting (2 per cent) to 10 per cent by 2025. Councillor Chris Paul, member and Cycling Champion of the TfGM committee told the Manchester Evening News that cycling to MediaCityUK was already popular but that he hoped the new hub would encourage even more people to consider commuting by bike.

“The hub will be open 24 hours a day – so with thousands of employees on site working a variety of shift patterns, we look forward to seeing it very well used. We’ve already had a lot of interest and I share the excitement of those who can’t wait to see it open this summer.”

Manchester recently secured an extra £22 million to spend on cycling infrastructure as part of the latest wave of Cycle City Ambition funding. The city now has £42 million to spend on cycling facilities and is set to build 100km of cycle lanes around the city. Major cycle path projects are planned for Manchester Airport, Prestwich, Wilmslow Road, Cheetham Hill, Salford and Stockport as well as alongside the Bridgewater and Ashton Canals.