The Budějovice railway station is missing bike racks after reconstruction. Minister promises additions

The Railway Administration did not build any quality bike racks near the station. Only 8 racks were installed by the city as part of the sidewalk reconstruction near the former underpass. The capacity of this „nest“ is 16 bicycles, which is far from sufficient for the largest station in the city.

The CykloBudějovice association, which highlighted the problem, says: „The stands are not covered and are not secured in any way. They serve well for quick parking for a maximum of a few hours. Definitely not for overnight parking.“

In the courtyard north of the main building, a new bar primarily intended for charging electric bicycles was added, next to which there is a pole with sockets. This type of rack is not intended for long-term parking or locking. Not everyone can lift a heavy electric bike onto the bar: „It is a considerably non-standard and user-unfriendly type of rack, so it remains deserted,“ added the CykloBudějovice association.

We will replace them, says the minister

Transport Minister Martin Kupka (ODS) commented on the new „bar“ for Městem na kole: „If the new bar proves to be ineffective, we will replace it with conventional racks. We are interested in people using rail transport as much as possible. The lack of bike racks should not block this.“

Minister Kupka added that the presence of bicycle parking is checked during every reconstruction or construction of a station: „We have added them to a number of projects in recent years,“ he added.

Before the reconstruction

Before the reconstruction of the main building there were quality racks with a capacity for 24 bicycles in front of it. These racks were removed during the reconstruction. The nearest public racks can be found opposite the station at the end of Lannova Street. They have a total capacity of 22 bicycles and are often full, moreover, there is a frequent problem with theft.

Is there a solution?

The CykloBudějovice association said the insufficient communication between the city and the Railway Administration was a problem. The city could have made specific demands, but this did not happen. „For instance, a bike shelter could have been located in one of the cubicles under the first platform. Similarly, a room on the ground floor of the station building itself could have been allocated,“ the association believes.

According to Deputy Mayor for Transport, Lubomír Bureš (ODS), city management has started working on a plan to create bicycle parking in the former post office. But this was only after the reconstruction of the station was completed. According to Minister Kupka, this bike shelter, monitored by cameras, could open in July. „This should solve the problem. And I think it’s a great initiative,“ added the minister.

How is it done elsewhere?

How is bicycle parking solved at other transport hubs in the Czech Republic? Take a look at examples from Pardubice, Hradec Králové, Soběslav, Prague-Radotín, Prague main station, Řevnice, Choceň, Zábřeh, and Polish Auschwitz.