One of Europe's largest bicycle garages was built in the Netherlands — see inside

• One of the largest bicycle parking garages in Europe was built in the Hague, Netherlands, at its Central Station, connecting urban micromobility users to the main railway station.
• The garage has space for 8,000 bicycles, including public and cargo bicycles.
• Unlike the typical parking garage, this completed space has high white ceilings with backlit walls and artwork.

One of Europe's largest parking garages dedicated solely to bicycles was built in The Hague, Netherlands by its Central Station, connecting urban micromobility users to the main railway station.

The underground bicycle parking space was designed to stand out from the average dimly lit grey garage. In order to achieve this, the two companies behind the design — creative agency Silo and architectural firm Studio Marsman — created an interior meant to resemble a museum as opposed to an actual parking garage, according to its designers.

Instead of using undecorated dark cement walls, the inside of the garage is covered with a bright ceiling, backlit walls, and artwork, all while including space for 8,000 bicycles, according to the local government. More specifically, this includes 700 spots dedicated to public bicycles, although the garage also has space for other segments, such as cargo bicycles and two-wheelers with crate and child seat attachments.

Keep scrolling to see inside:

The bicycle garage is located underneath the Koningin Julianaplein, a residential building and outdoor space that has yet to be built, according to the local government.

The bicycle parking garage under Koningin Julianaplein in The Hague.      Mike Bink

Source: Den Haag

The entire space is 8,000 square meters, about 86,111 square feet, and stands as one of the largest bicycle garages in Europe.

The bicycle parking garage under Koningin Julianaplein in The Hague.      Mike Bink

However, it's the second largest bicycle-dedicated garage in its home country in the Netherlands.

The bicycle parking garage under Koningin Julianaplein in The Hague.      Mike Bink

There are six different entrances ...

The bicycle parking garage under Koningin Julianaplein in The Hague.      Mike Bink

... and visitors can check in using the OV chip card, the public transit payment method in the Netherlands.

The bicycle parking garage under Koningin Julianaplein in The Hague.      Mike Bink

Parking is free for the first 24 hours.

The bicycle parking garage under Koningin Julianaplein in The Hague.      Mike Bink

After that, payments can be made using a QR code.

The bicycle parking garage under Koningin Julianaplein in The Hague.      Mike Bink

Paths are separated for bicyclists and foot traffic: cyclists follow the green lines, while pedestrians follow the yellow.

The bicycle parking garage under Koningin Julianaplein in The Hague.      Mike Bink

There are also large aisles and directional cues to guide the crowds.

The bicycle parking garage under Koningin Julianaplein in The Hague.      Mike Bink

To counter the low, dark ceilings found in most parking garages, the designers used tall white ceilings and a backlit glass wall.

The bicycle parking garage under Koningin Julianaplein in The Hague.      Mike Bink

The glass wall also has images and references to old, current, and new architecture in The Hague.

The bicycle parking garage under Koningin Julianaplein in The Hague.      Mike Bink

This, in conjunction with the "spatial identity" of the space, makes the garage appear larger, according to a statement by the Silo's creative director Rene Toneman.

The bicycle parking garage under Koningin Julianaplein in The Hague.      Mike Bink