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If you're a cyclist in Melbourne, chances are you've pondered this thought at least once before: “Where on Earth do people stash their bikes when ‘secure parking’ comes in the form of a wobbly hook in a crowded hallway?” Well, it seems we're now getting a very London solution to the problem.
Enter the cycle hangar. Australia’s first on-street bike bunker has just been installed in Coburg, and if you’ve ever hauled your ride up three flights of stairs, you’ll understand why this is kind of a big deal. The compact steel structure – about the size of a car space – neatly stores up to six bikes, locking them away safely at street level.
It’s a concept that’s already up-and-running in London, where more than 30,000 hangar spaces have been installed to tackle the city’s chronic lack of indoor bike storage. Over there, the street-side bike bunkers are wildly popular, with waiting lists to match. And Melbourne’s inner north is taking notes.
The pilot hangar has landed on Elm Grove, just near the Coburg Civic Centre, where it’s been stress-tested by council staff and councillors. The verdict? A resounding thumbs up. It’s already in regular rotation, with Merri-bek mayor Cr Nat Abboud among those parking up.
With that early success, the council is gearing up to roll out more hangars across the municipality in the coming months. Unsurprisingly, they’ll be targeting high-density pockets where apartment living is booming but bike storage is, well, not.
Locals were invited to register interest in late 2025, and those lucky enough to snag a spot will pay a modest annual fee – about $48.10, roughly in line with a car parking permit. Not bad for peace of mind (and a hallway free of handlebars).
Spots will be allocated based on demand, existing parking access and whether there’s a suitable patch of street to install a hangar. If you missed the initial sign-up, you can still throw your helmet in the ring via the council’s online portal over here.
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