The funding landscape for bicycle parking towers in Germany

The transport transition presents municipalities in Germany with major challenges in the expansion of bicycle-friendly infrastructure. They often wonder what funding instruments the federal government and their respective federal states offer them for the construction of bicycle parking towers or bicycle infrastructure projects.

In the mobility transition, digital integration is an important step into the future. As a hybrid concept, the V-Locker system combines functional technology together with software components – the IoT platform to form an automated parking module for easy user handling and high operator efficiency. The infrastructure finds it difficult to keep pace with structural change and often disadvantages the change in mobility – a lack of digital integration is only one aspect.

In order to benefit from the various funding opportunities, there are a variety of details to consider in the search, as well as the application requirements for the funding.

But which funding programs are currently available to municipalities for their construction projects for a V-Locker plant?

Probably the best known is the nationwide special program “Stadt und Land“. This programme for the expansion of the cycling network provides funds for modern bicycle parking facilities with the aim of creating an appropriate infrastructure for cyclists.

Which measures are supported by “Stadt und Land” in detail? (see page 4, paragraph 3)

1. the construction/conversion and expansion of stationary traffic facilities, including the necessary planning services of third parties (outside the public administration) for bicycles and cargo bikes.1.1. Parking facilities that enable theft-proof and stable attachment of bicycles, such as leaning bars or double-decker parking systems1.2. Bicycle parking garages and bicycle parking towers such as those from V-Locker at busy cycling hubs, such as transfer points to public transport in residential areas, at train stations, S-Bahn stations or in front of public buildings.

The standard funding rate is up to 75% of the eligible costs, for financially weak municipalities an increased rate of up to 90% is available. The combination of subsidies from the state and the municipality are permitted as long as they are not in competition. In total, municipalities can already benefit from the measure with a small own contribution. Any combinable subsidies of their federal state must be determined at the relevant ministries. Another federal funding comes from the Federal Ministry for the Environment. The “
Guideline for the Promotion of Climate Protection Projects in the Municipal Environment” (see p. 22 ff.) promotes bicycle parking garages in the immediate vicinity of railway stations and their stops.The funding amount is 50%, for financially weak municipalities 65% of the eligible costs (see p. 41, point 4.2.5). Cumulation with other federal subsidies such as “Stadt und Land” is not permitted. This programme is a direct alternative at railway stations, albeit to a lesser extent if other funds have already been exhausted or waiting times are to be expected in the approval process. The approval period is 24 months according to this municipal guideline for cycling infrastructure (see funding quota table). It is important to note that the measures for the “City and Country” funding programme for stationary cycling were decided in the course of a developed (cycling) traffic route concept and that this favours a shift potential of private transport to two-wheelers (see page 5, paragraph 4).