“The Netherlands has a lot of knowledge and experience when it comes to water, including the construction of numerous subsea facilities,” Dutch Secretary of State for Infrastructure Vivian Heinen said at the inauguration of the first terminal, adding that the authorities are doing the best possible. use of space that “is in a small country”. The two facilities, with a combined seating capacity of 11,000, are “the largest bike shelter in the city.” The municipality says the project will also remove the often overloaded sidewalk bike racks, according to Le Figaro.
Starting Thursday, Amsterdam residents will have access to the first underwater shelter at the station’s main entrance, offering 6,300 spaces for cyclists and 700 rental bikes. The conveyor belts will transport users nine meters below ground level, explains the Wurck architecture studio, responsible for the project. The interior of the terminal is presented at launch as “a smooth, glowing world with a cast plaster floor and a seamless white ceiling”, which, according to the developers, resembles a contrasting oyster.
A second terminal under the Ii river, designed to reflect its curves, will be available from February 14 and will have 4,000 bicycle parking spaces. “Now, when you arrive at the central station of the city, you can park your bike immediately,” Melanie van der Horst, deputy mayor in charge of transport, said in a speech to Amsterdam residents and visitors. Meanwhile, a third of Dutch railway passengers arrive at Amsterdam station by bicycle.
