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

Falco is delighted to announce the completion of two major new cycle parking facilities at Ipswich Hospital, part of the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust. Following the successful delivery of a similar scheme at Colchester Hospital in June, this latest installation further demonstrates the Trust’s commitment to sustainable travel for staff, patients and visitors.

For Ipswich, Falco designed, manufactured, supplied and installed two FalcoHub cycle hubs, each measuring 8m x 6m and providing space for 72 bicycles using the tried-and-tested FalcoLevel Eco two-tier racks. Together, the shelters deliver a total of 144 secure cycle parking spaces.

Each hub has been enhanced with a range of additional features, including integrated LED lighting and the FalcoSmart access control system - a smartphone-based solution providing secure and convenient entry for authorised users. This smart technology offers the Trust greater control over access while creating a modern, user-friendly facility.

As with Colchester Hospital, Falco provided a turnkey service, carrying out all groundworks as well as manufacture, supply and installation, ensuring a smooth and efficient process from start to finish.

The hubs were finished to a high specification, including:

• Powder coating in RAL 6005 Moss Green
• Full glass cladding with bespoke graphics applied
• Integrated LED lighting
• FalcoSmart phone-based access control system

This latest project not only enhances sustainable travel options for Ipswich Hospital but also builds on the success of Colchester, creating a consistent and modern cycle parking provision across the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust estate.

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 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 offers data reporting – the back office allows reporting data including number of uses, times of use and other important information
  • 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 users 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 Ipswich Hospital or any other product from our cycle parking and shelter portfolio, please contact our helpful sales team on 01538 380080.