RTV UtrechtThe entrance to the parking facility on Jaarbeursplein.
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RTV Utrecht
NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 17:27
The bicycle shed at Jaarbeursplein near Utrecht Central Station will be closed. During an inspection, cracks were found in the construction. Technical research must reveal the cause of this.
The storage facility, which has room for 4,200 bicycles, closes at 10 p.m. tonight. Until then, people can still get their bicycles from the shed, the municipality of Utrecht reports.
“We understand that this is very annoying for people who use the bicycle shed, but this is necessary as a precaution,” quotes RTV Utrecht the municipality.
No immediate danger
Part of the city plateau, which is located above the parking facility, will be closed to pedestrians. This relieves the load on the roof of the shed. The municipality emphasizes that there is no immediate danger to users of the parking facility.
It is still unknown how long the bicycle shed will remain closed. People who want to park their bicycle in the station area are advised to use one of the other parking facilities.
Expansion joints
In 2022, cracks were discovered in the floor in the Stationsplein bicycle shed, on the other side of the station. Expansion joints in the concrete shed appeared not to function optimally. These joints must absorb the effect of the floors: concrete expands and contracts due to temperature differences, for example. Six joints were replaced.
The parking facility on Stationsplein has room for 12,500 bicycles, making it the largest in the world.
The news of the closure of the Jaarbeursplein bicycle shed near Utrecht Central Station is a startling development, especially given its significance as a parking facility for thousands of cyclists. The inspection revealing cracks in the construction is a clear reason for concern, and it’s reassuring that technical research is being conducted to identify the cause.
My analysis is that this closure will have a substantial impact on the daily lives of commuters who rely on this facility. As the bicycle shed is mentioned to have room for 4,200 bicycles (no source provided), it’s clear that it serves a substantial number of people. The closure may lead to increased congestion and parking difficulties for cyclists in the area.
Considering the information from previous sources, I can provide some context about the Jaarbeursplein bicycle shed. According to a location guide on Discover Utrecht, the facility was previously open 24 hours a day and offered free parking for the first 24 hours [[1]](https://www.discover-utrecht.com/location/bicycle-shed-central-station-utrecht/). This suggests that the facility was designed to accommodate the needs of cyclists traveling to and from Utrecht Central Station.
Moreover, the Royal Jaarbeurs Utrecht mentions that visiting by public transport or bicycle is the most sustainable option [[2]](https://www.jaarbeurs.nl/en/practical-information). The closure of the bicycle shed will likely disrupt this, and alternative parking arrangements may need to be made to accommodate the affected cyclists.
In my opinion, further investigation is needed to address the cause of the cracks and ensure the structural integrity of the facility. Additionally, a viable temporary solution for parking should be found to minimize disruption for cyclists who rely on this facility. Only then can a recovery plan be implemented to get the bicycle shed up and running again.
Sources used:
[[1]](https://www.discover-utrecht.com/location/bicycle-shed-central-station-utrecht/)
[[2]](https://www.jaarbeurs.nl/en/practical-information)
[[3]](https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidvankeulen/14694732542)
