From Melissa & Chris Bruntlett
Strengthening bike-train connectivity to the rest of the Randstad metropolitan region, Dordrecht Station has undergone a facelift with the addition of a two-storey parking facility for 1,880 bicycles, which doubles as a covered entrance for passengers approaching from the south through Weizigtpark.
The bike parking is designed according to best practice developed by Dutch railways: 1. Proximity to platform, 2. Always open spaces, 3. Secure and socially safe, 4. Good movement and flow, 5. Comfort and ease of use, 6. Always free of charge, 7. Sheltered from weather, and 8. Sustainable materials.
As the Netherlands’ first circular bike parking facility, the structure is modular, expandable, and rebuildable, so it can be relocated and reused if required—as a whole or individual parts. Electricity is generated via mono-crystalline cells in the transparent solar roof, making it energy-positive.
Looking beyond the turnstile, the scope also included infrastructural upgrades to help passengers arrive comfortably by bike. The cycling routes to the station have been widened and improved, while tall bushes have been replaced by low plants and new lighting installed to increase the social safety.
This unique project is the first step in the metamorphosis of Dordrecht Station with the planned addition of 10,000 new homes by 2030. By combining both sustainable mobility and construction, it ensures current residents can flourish without comprising the ability of future residents to do the same.