Wheel be there!

Parking attendants get on their bikes

Parking attendants on bicycles are now making the streets of Edinburgh safer for cyclists.

Maintaining a safe, steady traffic flow through Edinburgh’s streets is the main objective of parking attendants.

But by carrying out these duties on a bicycle, a pedal-powdered parking attendant gains the same sight lines as cyclists.

This gives the ability to clearly see vehicle obstructions on streets that often create a hidden danger.

“For example, a poorly parked truck can have a considerable impact for anyone on a bike, having to weave out into a busy flow of traffic to get around it,” said Darren Young (above), a keen cyclist who has piloted the project for parking enforcement company NSL.

The trial started in November 2008 and the bicycles are to become a regular feature on the capital’s streets, with other parking attendants awaiting the arrival of new bikes.

Edinburgh is already familiar with services that use bicycles as an alternative mode of transport, including paramedics and Police.

Bikes allow parking attendants ease of access and a faster response time to help out wherever needed.