Cycling is perhaps the most environmentally friendly means of urban transportation, as it can be used for both short and medium-distance excursions that are too long to be covered by walking. Cycling is environmentally friendly, improves health through physical activity, takes up little space, and is cost-effective, both in terms of direct user expenditures and in terms of public infrastructure costs. Cycling is, in short, environmentally, socially, and economically viable.
E-bikes are a more competitive alternative to driving a car because they are faster than mechanical bikes and so allow for long-distance cycling. They also make cycling with large loads and in mountainous terrains simpler.
Barcelona is a relatively bicycle-friendly city, according to most factual, on-paper definitions. Cycling in Barcelona is growing year after year, but there are still issues that all city riders must deal with. However, how bicycle-friendly is Barcelona really? And how do people use their bicycles to escape the city’s stress?
In recent years, the government has struggled to regulate “e-bikes,” electric devices that vary significantly in size and speed and are difficult to manage. Some see them as a threat, while others see them as a risk, and the bike lane network has a number of flaws that need to be addressed.
One of the issues is a lack of adequate and intelligent parking interventions for these bicycles and electric scooters, particularly in office buildings and workspaces. To address this growing issue, m2 arquitectas has created a rather rational and astute design for such parking requirements.
The goal of the intervention is to increase the amount of parking space available for bicycles and electric scooters, as well as to create new areas that will encourage people to choose cycling and electric scooters as their primary means of transportation.
The Design | Bicycles and Electric Scooters Parking Space
Space Utilization
The architects’ major goal in this design problem was to construct a space for Colonial Inmobiliaria, which is passionate about modern sustainable transportation and desired ample and well-designed parking in the building premise. The designers’ initial challenge was to make use of the pre-existing obsolescence of basement space, which was being used as a mere storage room.
The parking space has been strategically planned to handle more than 100 bicycles and electric scooters. The plan is laid out in a strategic grid pattern, with enough parking and circulation space for both vehicles and people.
Another unique element of design is the seamless transition from minimalist parking space in the changing rooms and washrooms. The smart use of diverse textures and materials, which once again tactically preserves space and emphasizes the design philosophy, has been a step forward in the overall aesthetic of the space.
Materials & Construction | Bicycles and Electric Scooters Parking Space
A small area like this necessitates more interventions and clever judgments in terms of materiality, lighting, textures, and color theory, especially if the space is as minimal as a parking space. These parts of the design are crucial to the final result.
The key goal for selecting materials was to employ more reflective and glossy polished textures to maximize illumination and effectively compensate for the basement’s lack of natural light. Because of the basic reflective white walls, this innovation worked beautifully.
The goal of the colour scheme is to create a striking contrast while being subtle and refreshing to the eye. This is based on the idea of directing people to services and the overflowing changing rooms. The contrast between the textured polished concrete wall and the corrugated plated walls is highlighted by the use of red mortar.
Sustainability
The design is environmentally conscious on numerous levels. To begin, reflecting coatings and materials can be used to boost lighting while lowering electricity and power consumption. The use of energy-efficient materials such as concrete, ceramic tiles, and other low-cost materials reduces the cost of excessive maintenance.
Along with the parking for bicycles and electric scooters, which was the main design project. M2 architects also included a clever addition of showers and changing rooms to encourage the use of environmentally friendly and lighter vehicles, such as bicycles and electric scooters. The goal of the intervention is to increase the amount of parking space available for bicycles and electric scooters, as well as equip these new spots. As a result, people are more likely to embrace a healthy lifestyle, and this design has a longer-term value in terms of sustainability.
While individuals will always have complaints about the quality of cycling in the city, statistics suggest that Barcelona is improving, and it is now recognized as the world’s 11th most bicycle-friendly city. Given Barcelona’s dependably pleasant climate, which is the envy of bikers in Europe’s colder, wetter climates, it’s surprising that the city has waited so long to fully embrace the cycling revolution. Barcelona’s bike infrastructure, on the other hand, has greatly improved in recent years.
With more projects like these, the world may see a significant shift in terms of healthy lifestyles and environmentally friendly transportation.
References
ArchDaily. (2021). Bicycles and Electric Scooters Parking Space / m2 arquitectas. [online] Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/967704/bicycles-and-electric-scooters-parking-space-m2-arquitectas.[Accessed 7 Sep. 2021].
Barcelona, M.C.B. 209 entlo D. 08029 (n.d.). M2ARQUITECTURA. [online] www.m2arquitectura.es. Available at: http://www.m2arquitectura.es/en/proyectos.html.
[Accessed 7 Sep. 2021].
Stott, H. (2019). Cycling In The City: Vintage, Road or Electric? [online] (barcelona-metropolitan.com). Available at: https://www.barcelona-metropolitan.com/living/cycling-in-the-city/.
