Opening date: 15/03/2021


Closing date: 31/07/2023


Bike hangars are on-street, secure, lockable, covered pods which can accommodate between four and six cycles. They offer a practical solution for people who are keen to cycle but are limited by a lack of outside secure cycle storage. They are ideal if you would like to cycle for exercise, education or commuting but do not have the space to store a bicycle securely. If storage has stopped you from owning a bike, renting a space in a hangar could be a great opportunity for you to get one.

A bike hangar pilot was introduced to eight roads between March and September 2021, following resident requests for more cycle storage and to make cycling more accessible to everyone, as part of a wider approach to supporting active travel and creating a greener, cleaner city.

We successfully completed our second phase of installations in February 2023. Our bike hangars are currently located in the following roads:

  • Addison Road x 2
  • Binsteed Road
  • Clarence Road
  • Collingwood Road
  • Eastfield Road
  • Francis Avenue
  • Guildford Road
  • Hunter Road
  • Lennox Road South,
  • Lucknow Street
  • Lumsden/Ferry Road x 2
  • Manners Road
  • Methuen Road
  • Sultan Road
  • Worsley Street

If you live in one of these roads and would like to request to rent a space in a bike hangar please email BikeHangarRequest@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or write to

Chi Sharpe
Active Travel Officer
Safer Travel Team
Portsmouth City Council
Civic Offices
PO1 2AL

Bike hangar survey

In July 2021 we carried out a two-week survey amongst users and non-users of the bike hangars. The information we collected from this survey has helped us to understand how the bike hangars have been received, identify which hangar model was most popular and if a specific model was better at fulfilling specific resident needs. You can read more about our survey results in the report.

Recommend your road for a hangar

If the scheme continues to be popular we will seek further funding to further expand bike hangars to other roads in the city. If you would like to rent a space in a bike hangar but don’t live near the roads selected for the pilot you can nominate your road for a hangar in the future.

If you have any questions regarding bike hangars please email bikehangarrequest@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Frequently asked questions

Does my road qualify for a bike hangar?

We have looked at customer feedback from our bike hangar pilot scheme which launched in 2021. This has helped us develop a priority list which will enable us to decide on future suitable locations for bike hangars.
This includes:
• The number of requests (multiple requests from one household are counted as one request).
• Type of properties. Flats; flat fronted houses with no garden; flat fronted houses with no rear access; all properties which have difficulty storing bikes; lack of outdoor secure space to store bikes.
• The resident requesting the bike hanger must be happy to have it outside their property. We will only place a hangar outside a property if there are no off-street locations in the area that can be used.
• Level of local support and anticipated uptake.
• Geographical spread of requests and provision of bike hangars across the city.
• Impact on other local cycle parking infrastructure.
• Availability of suitable space to accommodate the bike hangar.
• Date of request (first come, first served).

How are spaces allocated?

If your road has been identified as suitable for a bike hangar, we will write to you and other residents living in the road to give everyone the opportunity to apply. If there are any spaces still available, we will open up access to residents living in local roads. We will allocate spaces on a first come, first served basis.

How much does it cost to rent a space in a bike hangar?

Renting a space will be free during the initial six-month trial. Following this, access will cost £30 per year. If you would like to request to rent a space in a bike hangar, please email bikehangarrequest@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or write to:

Bike hangar request

Safer travel team

Portsmouth City Council

Civic Offices

PO1 2AL

How many spaces can I rent?

If you live in the road where the bike hangar is located, you can rent one space per household. However, it may be possible to rent additional spaces if there is availability and nobody is registered on the waiting list. Email bikehangarrequest@portsmouthcc.gov.uk to enquire about renting an additional space.

How do I get my key?

Once you have made a successful application, a key will be sent out to you. Only people who have been successful accepted to rent a space in a hangar will be issued with a key.

What happens if I lose a key?

If you lose your key, please email bikehangarrequest@portsmouthcc.gov.uk and we will arrange for a replacement. There is a charge of £25 for lost keys.

How do I cancel my bike hangar rental?

Please email bikehangarrequest@portsmouthcc.gov.uk and tell us your name and address so that we can cancel your membership.

How secure are the bike hangars?

All bike hangar units are secure, covered, lockable pods. The key is shared only with other people renting spaces inside the pods, the council and the installation company. The units are designed to deter would-be thieves with their sturdy design which has proven to be very secure, plus the hangars are located in residential areas where they can be observed 24/7.

However, no unit is 100% secure so we recommend that you always lock both wheels and the frame of your bike to the stand inside the units using two locks, for example, a Sold-Secure ‘D lock’ or sturdy chain lock for extra security. Find out more about keeping your bike secure.

How much space does a bike hangar take up on the road?

Each hanger takes up between half and one vehicle space. By re-purposing a parking space in this way, up to six people are able to travel by bicycle who may not have been able to do so before.

Do I have to own the property to nominate my road for a bike hangar?

You may nominate your road for a bike hangar, whether you own the property or not. If you rent a property, please make the landlord aware that you are requesting a space in a hangar. Any letters, or formal correspondence will be directed to the person renting the space.

If you have any questions, please email bikehangarregequest@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.

What will happen once the trial finishes?

The trial finishes in September 2021. We will look at the feedback we receive from residents over the six months and will present the findings to the Cabinet Member for Traffic and Transportation’s decision meeting, where further decisions will be made.

This could involve recommendations for a wider rollout across the city and would involve evaluating information about specific hangar providers. Hangars could also be moved or relocated to more suitable locations

If a decision is made to roll out bike hangars to other areas of the city we will seek further funding to do this. If there is insufficient interest in bike hangars then the scheme would be withdrawn and the hangars would be removed.