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Inside the world’s largest bike garage in Utrecht, which has room for 12,500 bicycles

Wheel-y impressive! Inside the world’s largest bike garage – a vast three-storey subterranean facility with parking spots for 12,500 bicycles and 1,200-metres of lanesThe world’s most enormous bike garage is located in the Dutch city of Utrecht below its major train station It’s an impressive three-storey structure with enough space for 12,500 bikes and a cycle repair shop  The project forms part of a broader development of the area designed to promote sustainable travel  

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The Netherlands is a cycling mecca with more bikes (22million) than people (17million), so parking spots are a hot commodity. 

But one city seems to have found a way to ease the problem – by building the world’s largest bike garage. It’s a subterranean behemoth that covers 21,373 square metres, with bike paths that run for 1,200 metres (nearly 4,000ft) and room for 12,500 bicycles.

The three-storey parking lot, located in Utrecht below the Central Station and part of a wider development of the area, is so vast and fun to cycle around that it’s become something of an attraction in its own right, according to the architect firm behind it.

Cycling mecca: The Dutch city of Utrecht is home to the world’s largest bike garage

Pedal power: Cycling through the garage is a truly unique experience

Ector Hoogstad Architecten used materials such as concrete, steel and wood to create the impressive structure.  

Cyclists can ride along pink-coloured cycle lanes straight to the parking spots, with free spaces indicated electronically. 

Additional facilities such as a cycle repair shop and a cycle rental outlet have been built on-site.

Architect firm Ector Hoogstad Architecten used materials such as concrete, steel and wood to create the impressive structure

 Cyclists can ride along pink-coloured cycles lanes straight to the parking spots, which use a digital system to indicate which spaces are free

The three-storey parking lot is part of a new more extensive development designed to promote sustainable travel

The development also saw a new public street and square created that connect the railway station and Hoog Catharijne shopping mall. 

The aim was to pedestrianise the area and promote sustainable ways to travel around the city.  

The first phase of the project was opened in August 2017, providing room for 6,000 bicycles. It was officially unveiled another two years later at full capacity, with spaces for over 12,500 bikes.

The first phase of the project was opened in August 2017, providing room for 6,000 bicycles

The bike garage was officially unveiled in 2019 at full capacity, with spaces for over 12,500 bikes

‘The building is more than just infrastructure. It adds an exciting and surprising architectural dimension to the city,’ said Ector Hoogstad Architecten

Additional facilities such as a cycle repair shop and a cycle rental outlet have been built on-site

The development also saw a new public street and square created that connect the railway station and Hoog Catharijne shopping mall

This meant it dethroned Tokyo, which previously held the title for the world’s largest bike garage thanks to a facility at Kasai Station with room for 9,400 bicycles. 

‘The building is more than just infrastructure. It adds an exciting and surprising architectural dimension to the city,’ said Ector Hoogstad Architecten.

‘Cycling through the garage has become a unique experience, not just another part of everyday life in the city, but almost an attraction in its own right.’ 

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