Image: Karolina Norteva

Open call 04/2024: New solutions for bicycle parking

The Mobility Lab Helsinki project accelerates the emergence of new business, products and services by promoting the development and testing of new mobility and transport services in the city.

Helsinki residents would like to see more high-quality bicycle parking solutions that protect against theft and vandalism. Mobility Lab Helsinki, in cooperation with Pääkaupunkiseudun Kaupunkiliikenne Oy, is running an open call for new solutions for smart and secure bicycle parking at metro stations and other transport hubs.  The open call is also looking for innovative solutions to collect data from existing bicycle parking facilities to support data-based decision-making.

Take a look at the invitation to tender in Finnish*

Take a look at the invitation to tender in English*

*UPDATE: The identified inaccuracies related to the scoring of evaluation criteria in the invitation to tender have been corrected. The procurement criteria remain unchanged.

More information about the open call here! (in Finnish)

The open call has been divided into two different challenges.

Challenge 1: Collection of data on bicycle parking

Data collection and data management are essential to better understand residents’ needs in relation to bicycle parking services. Parking is an essential part of the bicycle infrastructure, but, currently, little data is collected on bicycle parking.

In this challenge, we are seeking solutions to collect and track data on the occupancy and rotation rates of existing bicycle parking areas. The solution must also provide a platform for managing the data.

Challenge 2: Secure bicycle parking

Secure and high-quality bicycle parking reduces thefts and improves the user experience. In this challenge, we are looking for innovative solutions for bicycle parking racks, container based solutions or other modules.

The parking solution we are looking for should meet the following requirements:

– The solution helps with locking or securing the bike and reduces the risk of theft or vandalism.

– The parking solution is movable, i.e. not a fixed structure.

– The solution must also be suitable for production in larger quantities.

– The solution is free of charge for end users, i.e. it does not include a payment system.

– The solution includes data collection and data management.

– The solution is of high quality in terms of its design and its impact on the cityscape.

– The solution offers a high level of usability.

Budget of the Open Call

With this open call for proposals, innovative solutions are sought for the two challenges described above. The bidder may offer a solution to one or both challenges.

The total budget for the open call is up to 40,000 euros, excluding VAT. The total budget is divided between two challenges as follows:

Challenge 1: Collection of data on bicycle parking.

The total budget for this challenge is up to 10 000 EUR, excluding VAT. We are seeking 1-4 pilots. In this challenge, the maximum cost (= ceiling price) for a single pilot is 10,000 euros, excluding VAT.

Challenge 2: Secure bicycle parking.

The total budget for this challenge is up to 30 000 EUR, excluding VAT.  We are seeking 1-2 pilots. In this challenge, the maximum cost (= ceiling price) for a single pilot is 30,000 euros, excluding VAT.

Fill out the form to submit your tender

Tenders must be submitted by using the dedicated tender forms:

Tender form for Challenge 1 (in English) / Tender form for Challenge 1 (in Finnish)

Tender form for Challenge 2 (in English) / Tender form for Challenge 2 (in Finnish)

Please submit your tender through the form by 4:00 PM on May 6, 2024.

Q&A

We were wondering whether the pilots are 100% limited to technical solutions, or whether a qualitative research approach would be possible too? (Interviews, cultural probes, questionnaires, workshops, etc.)

In this open call, we are looking for a technical solution to monitor and gather data. However, qualitative research can be part of the solution.

Question about challenge 1: Are the locations pointed out by the customer or is it up to the bidder to propose? What kind of data is available about the locations? Passenger volumes of each spot would be very interesting (can be realtime or historical).

The information on suggested pilot locations by Kaupunkiliikenne Oy can be found in the invitation to tender. The final pilot locations will be agreed together with the selected service provider(s) and Kaupunkiliikenne Oy. Currently, HSL Helsinki Region Transport collects and analyses data on occupancy rates manually every two years, and publishes the results in Excel format. (https://www.hsl.fi/hsl/tutkimukset/liityntapysakoinnin-tutkimus, in Finnish).

In the Call for Tender it says: “Any electrical and telecommunications connections required by the solution and any permit applications will be handled by Pääkaupunkiseudun Kaupunkiliikenne Oy.” Does this mean that they will also pay for the relevant costs (e.g. for electrical connections)?

Yes, Kaupunkiliikenne Oy will provide telecommunications connections and electricity connections during the pilot.

There are two different evaluation criteria mentioned in the material. Is the share of the price 10% (while quality 30+30+30%) or 30% (and quality 70%)?

The evaluation criteria of this open call is 30% price and 70% qualitative. There was a mistake in the scoring of evaluation criteria, which has now been corrected in the call for tender. The procurement criteria remain unchanged.

Regarding Challenge 1: Do the bike rooms/shelters already exist? Would it be possible to provide images/plans on how they look like? Is there an existing door on the bike rooms, if so what kind is it?

The bike shelters already exist and the suggested locations have been provided in the call for tender. Regarding images, Kaupunkiliikenne Oy is responsible for the pilot sites and images can be inquired directly from Kaupunkiliikenne Oy. The contact information is provided in the call for tender. The bike rooms have doors. Detailed information can be inquired from Kaupunkiliikenne Oy.

Would it be possible to start the pilot period only in August and it would mainly focus on September–October. Is the schedule an issue?

The exact time period of the pilot can be decided together with Mobility Lab Helsinki and Kaupunkiliikenne Oy. Please provide the suggested schedule for the pilot in the possible tender.

After the pilot period, is it possible to get the piloted pilot unit back?

Yes, the pilot will be acquired as a service. In the case that Kaupunkiliikenne Oy does not wish to continue the pilot, the pilot unit will be returned to the service provider after the pilot.

Information webinar on April 24