Bike parking and e-bike charging at Belmont Forum in Perth

Belmont Forum, a shopping centre in the Perth suburb of Cloverdale, opened a Bikeep bike parking and e-bike charging station for its visitors. Shopping Centre News reported it as the first anti-theft bicycle and e-bike parking and charging docks in Western Australia. Bikeep's Australian partner emicro brought the technology to the state, and Perth EV Charging Co installed it.

Why a shopping centre wanted it

Bike theft is one of the most common reasons people don't cycle to the shops. A bike on an open rack outside a busy centre is easy to take, and an e-bike is worth far more than most riders want to risk. Belmont Forum wanted visitors to have a safe choice besides the car park, one that cuts emissions and supports a healthier way to get around.

Belmont Forum Head of Operations Jamie Wilmot called the opening a significant milestone for the centre and for Western Australia.

How it works

• Lock without a lock. A locking bar closes over the frame, so riders don't need to carry one.
• Charge while you shop. E-bike riders plug their own charger into the dock's locked compartment.
• App control. Riders find a free dock, park and unlock with the Bikeep app.
• Alarms and a camera. Every dock sounds an alarm if someone tampers with a locked bike, and a camera watches the station.

A start for Perth

emicro also runs a 10-dock Bikeep station at RAC Arena in central Perth. Together the two sites show how venues across the city can give cyclists the same secure, charged parking that drivers expect.

Shopping Centre News covered the opening in Revolutionary anti-theft bicycle parking docks unveiled at Belmont Forum. More on bike parking for shopping centres is on the retail page.