Cycle Smart: FalcoHub Transforms Active Travel at Colchester NHS Hospital with Smartphone App Access

Falco has completed the design, manufacture, supply and installation of a bespoke cycle hub for Colchester Hospital, part of the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, providing a modern and secure active travel facility for staff, patient and visitor use.

In response to the growing demand for secure, sustainable cycling infrastructure and to help the NHS reach their net zero targets, the NHS partnered with Falco to deliver a bespoke cycle hub at Colchester Hospital. The installation supports the NHS’s commitment to greener travel options and enhanced urban mobility.

The new FalcoHub cycle hub, installed this June, measures 12m x 8m and accommodates up to 128 bicycles using the space-efficient FalcoLevel-Eco two-tier cycle rack system. Designed with both functionality and aesthetics in mind, the hub is clad with reinforced safety glass and features customised branding graphics to complement the site’s identity.

A key feature of the cycle hub is secure access to the facility provided by the FalcoSmart platform, allowing users to enter and exit the cycle hub via a dedicated mobile phone app, offering both convenience and eliminating the need for physical keys, fobs or swipe cards.

Integrated sustainable LED lighting ensures 24/7 visibility, and a full concrete base was constructed by Falco UK as part of the turnkey cycle parking solution.

This flagship installation forms part of the NHS Trust’s commitment to promoting sustainable transport options and creating infrastructure that supports long-term behavioural change towards cycling.

As mentioned above, the cycle hub incorporates mobile app technology whereby users are able to download an ‘app’ to their mobile or smart device and once enabled by Falco’s Okey system, the user can open the cycle hub simply by pressing the app. Working on a short-range wireless communication interface, an app-based system brings a number of benefits to all parties:

  • For users, it will offer a smarter option - no more keys and the associated costs.
  • For the client it will be cleaner – it’s a more cost efficient bike storage system to manage.
  • For Falco it will be simpler and more eco-friendly – less administration and less paper.

A further benefit to clients using the FalcoSmart Okey electronic lock concept is that it can also be integrated into hubs and other cycle stores, so for instance a local authority which has a network of both bike hangars and cycle hubs can give residents access to their local bike hangar to pick up their bike for the morning commute and then enable them to use the same app to access the central bike hub at their local station.

For more information regarding the cycle hub scheme at Colchester Hospital or any other product from our cycle parking and shelter portfolio, please contact our helpful sales team on 01538 380080.