Twelve schools in Hammersmith and Fulham have a new way to lock up their bikes and grow plants at the same time.

The schools, who work with sustainable transport charity Sustrans to encourage more children to cycle to school, received a ‘Plantlock’ each, to keep pupils bikes secure whilst they are in class.

The Plantlock’s – a steel plant pot with a frame each side to lock a bike to – are designed and made in London, and were a finalist in the Design Museum’s ‘Design of the Year’ Award in 2009.

The schools have received the locks through funding from the borough’s School Travel Team.

Sustrans Bike It officer for Hammersmith and Fulham, Owen Powell, comments, “These Plantlock’s are a brilliantly simple design, lovely to look at and fun to use. Keeping your bike safely locked up is easy to do, and the Bike It schools can grow flowers and vegetables at the same time.”

Sustrans works with 12 schools in the area, in partnership with NHS Hammersmith and Fulham and the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, to help children overcome whatever it is that is preventing them from cycling to school.

Participating schools across England have seen levels of cycling treble within a year– bucking the trend in declining numbers of children cycling to school.

About the Plantlock

The Plantlock is designed and made by the Front Yard Company of London.

Weighing in at around 75kg when fully planted the free standing container is considered to be an “immovable object” to lock bicycles to.  For added security it can be secured to the ground through the base.