Amsterdam just opened an incredible, state-of-the-art underwater parking garage for bikes. The new 65-million-euro facility is the world’s first of its kind and provides a safe, flood-proof space for up to 7,000 bikes.
The facility is a collaboration between the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, the City of Amsterdam, the Dutch Cycling Union, and Dutch shipbuilder Royal IHC, and is located beneath the IJ lake.It is the latest of the city’s projects to make Amsterdam more bike-friendly, as well as more sustainable and climate-proof.
The garage consists of two parallel rows of pillars, which are sunk into the lakebed. The pillars stretch for 130 meters and support two levels of bike racks, with each level holding approximately 4,500 bikes. The structure is also designed to withstand fluctuating water levels and the shifting sediments of the lake.
To protect the structure from corrosion, the bike racks and pillars are made of a special aluminum alloy that is highly resilient to rusting. The bike racks are also designed to be easily removable and can be floated up to the surface by crane for any needed repairs or maintenance.
The facility is equipped with a range of safety features, including CCTV surveillance and illumination. The entrances are designed for wheelchair access and are equipped with electronically controlled locks to prevent unwanted visitors.
The underwater bike parking garage is helping to make Amsterdam a greener city while also providing a safe and efficient way of storing bikes. It’s a revolutionary concept that could very well become the future of bike storage in cities all over the world.