In the news - another barrier to cycling goes

A PROTOTYPE bike pod with showers and facilities for bike commuters to freshen up before work is about to be unveiled in Melbourne.

Melbourne Council has developed the pods in a bid to encourage more people to ride to work.

Cr Catherine Ng, who chairs the city's Planning and Environment Committee, said a lack of showers was one of the main factors stopping people from riding to work.

"People don't want to be sweaty and smelly at work all day, so these bike pods will help overcome what is the biggest impediment for people wanting to ride into the city for work," Cr Ng said.

The first pod will be installed at National Australia Bank's Bourke St headquarters before the end of the month.

Cr Ng said the pods would eventually work in conjunction with dedicated bike parks and lockers at car parks throughout the CBD.

"The City of Melbourne will certainly lead by example and if we can we will embrace this idea in the council-owned car parks," Cr Ng said.

While the prototype cost ratepayers $175,000, Cr Ng said the unit cost would fall to a fraction of that amount once full-scale production was under way.

Each pod, containing two showers, change facilities and a central core with hydraulic and ventilation systems, would take up the equivalent space of two car parks.

"It is extremely difficult and expensive to retrofit shower facilities to a basement car park, so that's why (the council's) urban design people came up with the pod idea," Cr Ng said.

The system includes a pump that enables pods to be installed in locations where there are no sewerage connections.

Cr Ng said the council was talking to the State Government about the introduction of community bicycles, similar to those used in European capitals.

Bicycle Victoria chief Harry Barber, who was involved in the development of the pods, said he was looking forward to seeing them installed across the city.

http://leader-news.whereilive.com.au/news/story/another-barrier-to-cycling-goes/