Belatchew Architects have revealed designs for a new ‘Bike Garage’ in the centre of Stockholm, Sweden, to cater for the growing ranks of cyclists in the city.

By 2050, 7 out 10 people will reside in cities. With this increase in mind, city centres are already becoming high polluted and gridlocked.

Belatchew Architects have come up with a solution to reduce the volume of cars in Stockholm’s city centre, a new bike garage, with parking facilities for up to 700 bikes.

The project – still at an early stage – will be built on a site adjacent to a major train station. With plenty of provisions for bike parking, the garage will also act as a community space, with cafes, repair shops and room for interaction.

Car parks require a lot of space, and are naturally tailor built for larger vehicles. As bikes are smaller and more mobile, the space used to house them can allow for other activities.

Bike friendly design is apparent throughout the building plans. It features sliding doors enabling cyclists to glide into the premises from the street, while large window openings usher in daylight and ensure a visual connection between inside and out.

Combining health and fitness with good design is a key feature for Belatchew Architects, which plans to also provide showers and lockers for people to leave their helmets and belongings in.

The practice hopes that the design will allow a feeling of safety and foster a stronger sense of community in the area.