vertical bike parking lockers emerge in japan to give cyclists peace of mind

Presentation of the B-Cocoon experience

According to a 2019 survey by Japanese urban planning firm TEPCO, cyclists in the city of Kawagoe, Japan have difficulty approaching and parking bicycles in the tourist places of the city for fear of theft. To combat this problem, the company launched an experiment for a new bicycle car park locker system called “B-Cocoon” created to help cyclists store their bikes quickly and safely. ‘B-Cocoon’ is a solid bike locker allowing cyclists to rest and visit in peace. This is hourly parking that anyone can use if they register as a free member, while dedicated parking application facilitates the whole process.

five B-Cocoon units were installed as the first stage of the experiment

images courtesy of Adventure Aid

double locking system and vertical racks

B-Cocoon has a double lock system – a mechanical lock and a lock that can be activated via the app to enhance security. The bike parking unit uses Adventure Aid’s Steady mount (see more here), a vertical wall-mounted bike rack that allows users to store the bike without lifting it. Helmets and luggage can also be stored in the lockers. Additionally, B-Cocoon does not require a commercial power supply, so installation is easy and costs are relatively low.

bicycles, helmets and luggage can be stored in the lockers

How to use B-Cocon

As part of the first stage of the experiment, five units were positioned in the Koedo area of ​​Kawagoe on April 29, 2002. Other lockers are scheduled to be installed in the Enoshima area of ​​Kanagawa Prefecture on June 11 2022.

To use B-Cocoon lockers, users must download the dedicated app and register for free. Then they can find a vacant unit on the app and go to the site, where they can unlock the door by scanning the QR code and entering the access code provided by the app. The double locking system allows users to lock their bikes both manually and digitally, ensuring maximum security. The parking fee for the first 30 minutes is 200 yen (1.45 Euro) and 100 yen every 10 minutes thereafter.

an empty B-Cocoon unit

Stable support by Adventure Aid

project info:

Name: B-Cocoon
the society: TEPCO
bike racks by: Adventure Aid

myrto katsikopoulou I conceive

May 03, 2022