NS pledges action after queues form to leave world’s biggest bike park

Photo: DutchNews.nl
Photo: DutchNews.nl

Dutch railway company NS says it will take steps to alleviate the long jams forming at the exit to the world’s biggest bike park in Utrecht, under the city’s main railway station.

‘Multiple solutions’ are being worked on and more staff will be on hand to help cyclists check out, NS said. In addition the routing within the bike park, over three storeys, will be worked on to make sure everyone comes from the same direction.

Checking out of the bike park has to be done on an individual basis because people who leave their bikes longer than 24 hours have to pay.

Cyclist Willem Heesen, who photographed the jam, said that there is usually no queue.

A major extension to the bike park opened on Monday, making it the biggest underground garage for bikes in the world, with space for 12,656 two-wheelers.

The tota includes 480 spaces for cargo bikes and other bikes which don’t fit into regular spaces. The first 24 hours is free to park, after that the cost is €1.25 per day. Cyclists can follow electronic signs to the nearest empty spaces.

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