The Alès Basin Mixed Transport Union (SMTBA) and its president, Christophe Rivenq, inaugurated new parking solutions this morning aimed at “encouraging daily cycling”. This new initiative, which follows the creation of the Ales’y rental service in 2020, offers users the possibility of securing their bicycles, thus reducing the risk of theft or damage.
“What do these black boxes located here and there on the sidewalks of downtown Alès correspond to?” This question has been bothering some Alésiens in recent weeks. The answer arrived this Wednesday, June 26, during the inauguration of what is in reality the implementation, by the SMTBA, of a new soft mobility parking system. “This secure bicycle park, present in different locations in the city of Alès, will allow bicycle users, including myself and I can speak about it with full knowledge, to finally be able to use their own bicycles,” presents Christophe Rivenq, president of the Agglomeration of Alès and the Joint Transport Union of the Alès Basin. This union notably contributed to the creation, in 2020, of the long-term rental service Ales’y à vélo, comprising a fleet of 200 electrically assisted bicycles and two cargo bikes for rental, as well as to the development, in 2022, of its active modes diagram.
“One of the main barriers to cycling in the city is the fear of being stolen, especially for those who own high-value bicycles, such as e-bikes. So we asked ourselves how to enable those who have bicycles to use them freely and park them safely.”
Christophe Rivenq, president of the Alès Basin Joint Transport Union
Aurélie Genolher, regional councilor, and Christophe Rivenq, president of the Agglomeration of Alès, presented the secure lockers for bicycles, in particular those located at Place Gabriel Péri. • Photo Louis Valat
New parking solutions
For stops lasting from a few minutes to several hours, the equipment deployed in public spaces allows parking for up to 24 hours. However, these infrastructures are not intended for prolonged personal use. Their main objective is to facilitate access to the city center, shops, and activities, whether for an evening or an entire night. In total, 66 new bicycle parking spaces were created, including 36 in the form of arches installed in the car parks and 30 in individual secure lockers (see below). Access to these lockers is via a central unit and requires a valid bank card, particularly favoring contactless payment. Simply follow the instructions displayed on the central screen to complete the procedure.
To pay for parking, the bank card acts as a “ticket”. All you have to do is badge via “contactless” to drop off your bike, as well as to pick it up. • Photo Louis Valat
These instructions were produced by a company based in Alès, Citynox, and are located in five different locations: place des Martyrs-de-la-Résistance, place de l’Hôtel de Ville, place Henri Barbusse, place Gabriel Péri, and at Bonnefon. Secure car parks with bicycle racks include the Martyrs-de-la-Résistance car park, La Maréchale, and the Alès center. In the presence of Christophe Rivenq and Aurélie Genolher, regional advisor, a young woman, leaving for her jogging, used the instructions during the inauguration to leave her bike there safely, thus demonstrating their practicality. A first use which may seem complex, but habits which are quickly formed.
PRICES
The use of a box is completely free for the first four hours. After that, a rate of 1 euro applies for up to 24 hours of occupancy. After this period, the cost is 10 euros per additional day, in order to encourage user rotation and prevent saturation of the lockers.
