Free secure bike parking for shoppers in Boxmeer town center

Bikeep has installed a 10-dock smart bike parking station on Veerstraat in the center of Boxmeer, in the Netherlands. The Vereniging Commercieel Vastgoed Boxmeer (VCVB), the town's association of commercial property owners, opened it on 5 September 2026 as a trial of free, secure bike parking for shoppers. In the first eight weeks, riders made more than 170 parkings, launch-day demonstrations included.

Ten secure bike parking docks on Veerstraat

The station stands on Veerstraat, next to ijssalon Rembrandt and a short walk from the shops. Each smart bike dock holds the bike frame with a steel locking bar. Parking is free for visitors to the town center, every day from 9 am to 9 pm.

VCVB deals directly with Bikeep and paid for the trial itself.

Photo Maas Driehoek

Why Boxmeer chose smart docks over a staffed bike shed

Shoppers had asked for a safe place to leave their bikes for a long time. VCVB first looked at a traditional staffed bike shed. Someone would have had to be on duty from 9 am to 9 pm, every day. A separate unit would also have needed water, a toilet and a permit.

Self-service docks remove the staffing problem altogether. According to chairman Lambert Blonk, the staffed option was far too expensive, which made the docks the ideal solution. Bikes were already parked in them before the official opening.

"We deliberately chose to start with ten, because we first want to test how much interest there is." Lambert Blonk, chairman, VCVB

How to park a bike in Boxmeer town center

Riders use their own bank card as a key. No money is taken. The card only identifies the rider, and the same card unlocks the bike again.

1. Hold the bank card over the black panel on the console until it beeps.
2. Lift the locking bar, push the bike against the console and lower the bar.
3. To collect, hold the same card over the panel, lift the bar and take the bike.

Riders can also lock and unlock with the free Bikeep app for iOS and Android.

A trial built to grow

The trial will show how often the ten docks are used and what riders think of them. VCVB plans to take the results to the municipality of Land van Cuijk, with expansion talks set for early 2027. Blonk has in mind more docks on Veerstraat and new sites elsewhere in the center.

"It's great to see Bikeep serving Dutch cyclists in the heart of Boxmeer, and to hear from local businesses about the real impact secure parking has on a town center." Kristjan Lind, CEO, Bikeep

The trial in Boxmeers Weekblad. Photo Maas Driehoek

Local broadcaster Omroep LVC covered the opening in Dutch. More on bike parking for retail.