GoldLinQ Bike Shelters

Design Feature

Type of project

Local Government Initiative

State

Queensland

Location

Urban

The Gold Coast City Council is committed to prioritising walking, cycling and the use of public transport. As the Gold Coast grows, space for vehicles is likely to be constrained and a balance between private and public transport will need to be established. End of trip facilities such as bicycle shelters can address these constraints, as they encourage active transport, behaviour change and additionally ease the burden of car parking near rail stations.
In 2014, Council implemented a component of the G:link project, which integrated several public bike sheds in key locations along existing light rail infrastructure. This project was part of the broader G:link project; a light rail system serving the Gold Coast in Queensland which boasts a daily ridership of 21,000 passengers.

Results through integration

The project brief was to deliver secure bicycle parking that was efficiently integrated into the existing Gold Coast streetscape. Traditionally, sport and recreation facilities have been planned, designed and built for separate sections of the community. In a resource-constrained environment, a shared community facility prevents this costly duplication and ensures equitable access for all members of a community.

The scope was to design and construct six bike sheds at key locations along the light rail that would be available for public use, these included :

Cypress Avenue
Gold Coast University Hospital
Griffith University, east on Parklands Drive
Queen Street
Southport, west along Nerang Street
Broadbeach South

These bike shelters were designed to be:

Well positioned on the light rail network to deliver functional bike parking in areas of high passive surveillance, walkability and cyclability.
Aesthetically appealing, and well-integrated into the Gold Coast streetscape, creating a strong sense of place.

The project additionally aimed to:

Expand the catchment area for public transport services and movement networks to make active transport options accessible for people who were previously sedentary.
Encourage active transport and multi-mode trips for the community, by making the experience more convenient, functional and safe.

The project was delivered in 2014 and was utilised as part of the overarching G:link project which recorded 6.28 million trips in its first year.

Project team

Client: Gold Coast City Council
Design and construction: McConnell Dowell
Sub-contractor: Penny Farthings Pushbike Parking (Five at Heart)

Project Cost

Approximately $300,000

Health value

The provision of secure bicycle parking in close proximity to public transport encourages active transport, which supports engagement in physical activity.
Cycling rates have increased by 35% since the G:link project was implemented, which is attributed to augmentations made to the bicycle network throughout the light rail corridor.
The project has helped to connect and activate a relatively new regional movement network, through improved access to active travel infrastructure and linkages to destination points.

Economic value

The cost of providing secure bicycle parking is significantly cheaper for the local council than the cost of constructing parking bays. Furthermore, encouraging people to continue their journey using public transport contributes money to the local economy.

Environmental value

Secure bike shelters encourage fewer cars on the road, which subsequently reduces congestion, pollution and hazards in the environment.
The development of a shelter that atheistically complements the landscape contributes to an attractive environment.
The G:link light rail is anticipated to reduce local greenhouse gas emission by 114,000 tonnes over the first 10 years of operation. A single 43.5 metre long tram is able to carry over 309 passengers, equivalent to six standard buses and has the potential to remove up to 235 cars from the road during peak periods.

Social value

The provision of secure bike parking at six key Gold Coast locations allows people who may not have access to a car to still visit local attractions and utilise facilities in the community.
Walking, cycling and public transport are more conducive to social interaction than private vehicle use, as they can be more group orientated. Therefore, well planned and coordinated social infrastructure, such as bicycle shelters, are conductive to the social wellbeing of the Gold Coast community.

Use value

Installing secure bike parking allows patrons to take their pick of numerous modes of transport to reach their destinations. These active transport options are generally healthier, more environmentally sustainable and cost-effective than travelling by private vehicle.

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