Bikesafe twin towers / Hannover-Wunstorf, Germany / Bikesafe

244 secure, dry and free bike parking spaces: New bike tower at Wunstorf railway station sets milestone for a bike-friendly future.

While the mobility revolution is being discussed throughout Germany, it has already taken a decisive step forward in Hanover-Wunstorf. Since the beginning of the month, residents and commuters in the Lower Saxony municipality have been able to enjoy a free automatic bicycle car park with 244 secure and weather-protected parking spaces. The Bikesafe is located directly on the north side of Wunstorf railway station - the station most used by commuters from the surrounding area after Hanover Central Station.

After a year and a half of intensive construction and several months of trial operation, Wunstorf Mayor Carsten Piellusch and Ulf-Birger Franz, Head of Transport for the Hannover Region, officially opened the facility on 2 November 2023. A benefit for the entire region and an essential building block for a sustainable mobility concept. After all, the smart bike car park is a central component of the Hannover Region's 2035 transport development plan (VEP) - with the aim of becoming climate-neutral by 2035.

Wunstorf Bikesafe utilises innovative technology from WÖHR

244 bicycles and e-bikes can be stored in the Wunstorf Bikesafe at the same time. To make this large number of parking spaces possible, the municipality has put two examples of the internationally proven "WÖHR Bikesafe 885" into operation - each with eight levels and a height of twelve metres with a footprint of just around 36 square metres per tower. In just a few seconds, users can safely park their bike in one of the two "twin towers" and pick it up again - regardless of size, design and accessories such as child seats or saddlebags - any standard bike with a handlebar width of up to 76 centimetres fits in here. The equipment also includes lockers and sockets for e-bike batteries. Thanks to the simple use and operation via app, the fully automatic bike parking system is accessible around the clock.

Around 600,000 bicycles stolen every year in Germany alone: the WÖHR Biketower offers secure, free protection for bikes and e-bikes

With its compact design, the new bicycle car park solves the parking space problem at Wunstorf railway station in an architecturally appealing way and visually enhances the site. At the same time, it is a real benefit for the users themselves. Cyclists and commuters finally have a simple and free way to reliably protect their bikes from theft, vandalism and the weather. With an average cost of around €2,800 for an e-bike and, according to crime statistics, around 600,000 bikes stolen nationwide every year, the Bikesafe represents a relevant and noticeable improvement in local security - and another argument in favour of switching from car to bike.

The "Bikesafe Wunstorf" at a glance:

• WÖHR Bikesafe 885
• Automatic bicycle car park consisting of 2 bicycle towers
• Height: approx. 12 metres
• Floor space: approx. 72 m²
• Operation via app
• 16 charging lockers for e-bike batteries
• Opening: 2 November 2023