New cycle spaces set to pop up around Brighton and Hove

The city council has just started work on stands for 124 bikes across 10 locations, including Western Road, West Street, The Level and Palmeira Square.

Last autumn, stands for 74 bikes were installed as part of the Hanover and Elm Grove parking zone.

The council said since 2006, it has installed parking for almost 2,000 cycles.

Cllr Gill Mitchell, chairman of the council’s environment, transport and sustainability committee, said: “Cycle parking is a good use of limited space and money. You can park about 10 bikes in the space of one car.

"Cycling is growing so much here that it can be difficult to find a secure cycle parking space in some areas. So we’ll continue with more installations next year and we’ll keep asking developers to provide them as part of planning permissions.”

Reflecting the growing popularity of cycling, the latest census figures show cycling to work across the city doubled between 2001 and 2011. Just under five per cent of the city's population cycle to work, and nine per cent of adults cycle at least once a week.

The local BTN Bikeshare scheme, launched last September, is reportedly the UK’s most-used outside London.

Anyone can submit suggestions for locations for cycle stands using a form on the council website.

Abandoned bikes occupying racks – or anywhere else –can be reported on 01273 292929.