Secure cycle storage, E-bike charging stations, and Brompton Hire scheme in Midlothian

Closed 27 Jun 2025

Opened 27 May 2025

Contact

07990415539

oliver.caron-nowak@midlothian.gov.uk

Results updated 25 Sep 2025

Consultation closed - Many thanks to the 57 respondents who shared their views with us.

 

The survey data helped us with the following decision making:

Secure cycle storage:

  • There is demand for secure cycle storage especially when leaving a bicycle locked in a public space for over 2 hours.
  • For residential bicycle storage, respondents were generally happy with the security of their current storage at home.
  • Pricing would need to be set for short term storage somewhere between £0-0.5 per hour for this to be used.
  • Data is a bit messy regarding which type of secure storage is most preferred. This varies when looking at different demographics but secure storage is generally preferred over covered shelter, which in turn is preferred to sheffield stands that are open to the elements.
  • Generally there is strong demand for any type of location we put forward.
  • Secure cycle storage would entice many to consider purchasing an ebike in the future.

Outcome:

We are currently working on procuring 4x Cyclehoop Bikehangars that will be installed at Sheriffhall P&R, Penicuik precinct, Dalkeith town centre, Straiton Retail Park. This will allow us to test demand in different types of locations and hopefully allow us to add more in the future. Pricing is still to be confirmed but will be equal to, or less than 50p and hour, capped at £5 per day.

 

Brompton locker:

  • There is interest to have an additional locker.
  • Usage of the Brompton’s would vary mostly between leisure and utilitarian trips, with commuting to a lesser extent.
  • Most demand is for town centre or train station location (see table below for locations most commonly mentioned to have an additional locker installed.
  • Location Count
    Penicuik 7
    Eskbank 4
    Dalkeith 5
    Bonnyrigg 2
    Shawfair 3
    Edinburgh 3
    Pathhead 1
    Straiton 1

Outcome:

Depending on funding availability from the People and Place grant we receive from Transport Scotland/SEStran, there might be scope for us to install an additional Brompton locker in Penicuik.

 

Ebike charging:

  • Public ebike charging would generally encourage people to consider purchasing an ebike in the future.
  • Most demand is in town centres and supermarkets.

Outcome:

Nothing at the moment. Some challenges with the number of different battery charging cables for different manufacturers make finding a solution tricky. Also issues around few suppliers providing this sort of infrastructure and issues with insurance around fire hazards but we will be looking at feasibilyt of installing these in Midlothian.

 

All projects that are going ahead from the survey results are being funded by Transport Scotland/SEStran People & Place funding.

No funding was spent on consultants, external contractors, surveys or panels for this survey.

Files:

Overview

What: Midlothian Council's active travel team are assessing the need for secure cycle parking, ebike charging stations, and expanding the Brompton Hire scheme.

Why: We understand that a lack of safe and secure storage facilities can be a deterrent for cycling to the shops, to visit friends/family, and to access public transport links, or that people simply need somewhere secure to store their cycle at home. The rise in popularity of ebikes also opens up opportunities for more people to get out cycling so we would also like to hear your  views on ebike charging stations.

The Brompton bicycle hire scheme launched at Sheriffhall Park and Ride in October 2024 has seen a steady increase in usage and we are now looking at expanding the scheme to another location within Midlothian. The Brompton hire scheme allows members of the public to rent a Brompton folding bicycle for £5 per day and provides the freedom to drop it off at any of the existing 70+ Brompton Hire lockers in the UK (currently there is one in Musselburgh, one in Prestonpans, and two in Glasgow).

Where: We are looking for responses from Midlothian residents and visitors on such infrastructure to determine the best locations within the local authority to install these.

When: If there is demand for this type of infrastructure, we are hoping to have this installed in the near future.

How: This project has been made possible thanks to a People and Place grant. People and Place grants are funded by the Scottish Government and are administered and supported by SEStran.

SEStran (South East of Scotland Transport Partnership) is the statutory Regional Transport Partnership for the south-east of Scotland. SEStran encompasses eight local authorities: City of Edinburgh, Clackmannanshire, East Lothian, Falkirk, Fife, Midlothian, Scottish Borders and West Lothian.

People and Place grants are funded by the Scottish Government and administered and supported by SEStran. SEStran’s People and Place programme contributes towards three of the four objectives in the Regional Transport Strategy, by supporting behaviour change interventions that allow people to choose active or sustainable ways to travel instead of using a car.

Midlothian Council - Open Data Scotland    

Areas

  • All Areas

Audiences

  • Community
  • House Builders
  • Local Businesses
  • Local Businesses
  • Local Residents
  • Local Residents
  • Local Residents
  • Social Landlords

Interests

  • Ageing Well
  • Communities
  • Communities
  • Communities
  • Communities
  • Economic Development
  • Health and Wellbeing
  • Housing
  • Road and Transport Services
  • Sports & Leisure