Conclusion
It is very well possible in town centres to pursue bicycle policies that meet actual demands without employing bans. This begins with a thorough study into town-centre visiting cyclists: where do they live and park their bicycles, which shops do they visit, for how long, what are their expenditures, their wishes, etc. This provides invaluable information in order to determine the need for bicycle parking facilities as regards location, numbers and type (unguarded/guarded). Then it is time for:
- sufficient numbers of stands and racks, with Fietsparkeur, as close as possible to the destinations;
- creative ways to indicate where bicycles may and may not be parked;
- easily accessible and (free) guarded bicycle parking facilities for extended-stay cyclists;
- a policy to tackle bicycle theft; as well as
- a communication plan aimed at specific target groups;.
These are the ingredients to ensure many satisfied cyclists, a high bicycle use as well as good accessibility of a lively and attractive town centre.