Cycle Parking Numbers Decline at West Midlands Transport Hubs
New data reveals a significant decrease in the number of people cycling to bus and railway stations across the West Midlands. Cycle parking counts dropped from 785 during the third quarter of 2024/25 to just 629 in the same period of 2025/26, according to a report presented to the West Midlands Combined Authority's Transport Delivery Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Crackdown on Illegal E-Motorbikes Coincides with Drop
The report highlights that this decline aligns with enforcement operations targeting illegal e-motorbikes, which began in July 2025. These vehicles are commonly used by food delivery riders, who often rely on cycle parking facilities at stations. Birmingham New Street has consistently recorded the highest private cycle parking counts in the region, but even this hub has seen reductions.
Concerns about cycle theft are also cited as a major factor contributing to the downturn. Anecdotal evidence from staff conducting counts suggests that fear of theft at these locations is deterring cyclists from leaving their bikes. However, overall cycle thefts across the region have actually decreased, with a 10% drop in 2025 and a 12.6% reduction in 2024, amounting to a 21.4% fall from 2023 figures.
Steady Monthly Counts but Pre-Pandemic Levels Unmatched
Despite the recent drop, monthly cycle counts at stations have remained relatively stable, generally ranging between 200 and 300 since 2021. There was a steep decline at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, and pre-pandemic levels of around 500 to 600 counts have not been regained. The report notes that cycle traffic and rail patronage tend to skew toward more affluent and educated demographics, with hybrid working patterns likely influencing these trends.
Initiatives to Encourage Cycle Parking Usage
Authorities are now developing campaigns to promote the use of cycle parking at stations and celebrate the success in reducing theft. The Customer Intelligence Team will assess signs of theft in upcoming counts, looking for broken locks and abandoned cycles that may need removal. Additionally, community engagement activities are planned around the opening of five new train stations in Birmingham and Walsall, aiming to encourage cycling to these facilities.
Further granular analysis is being conducted to identify locations that require the greatest focus to boost private cycle parking numbers. The report also mentions a reduction in West Midlands Cycle Hire journeys due to decreased bike availability as the current contract nears its end. A new procurement exercise has appointed Lime as the new supplier for a regional cycle and e-scooter hire scheme, set to launch on April 1, 2026, offering e-bikes and e-scooters across the region.
E-Scooter Journeys on the Rise
In contrast to the cycle parking decline, e-scooter journeys saw a 14.1% increase in the third quarter of 2025/26 compared to the previous year. This shift underscores changing transport preferences in the West Midlands, as authorities work to balance enforcement, safety, and promotion of sustainable travel options.
