Bouwbrief 2015-130: Communal Bicycle Storage in Amsterdam Residential Buildings
Bouwbrief 2015-130 is a regulatory guidance document issued by the Gemeente Amsterdam in coordination with the Omgevingsdienst Noordzeekanaalgebied. Published in March 2015, this document provides the municipal framework for interpreting Article 4.31, paragraph 1 of the Dutch Building Decree (Bouwbesluit). While the national decree typically mandates an individual bicycle storage of 5 m² per dwelling, this brief details the conditions under which a communal storage facility may be permitted as an equivalent solution under Article 1.3 of the Bouwbesluit.
The document establishes specific criteria for achieving equivalence, focusing on the ratio of bicycle spaces to living area, the technical requirements for secondary internal storage, and qualitative assessments of accessibility and management. It applies to new residential developments within the Amsterdam municipality where developers seek to replace individual external units with shared facilities. The regulation defines specific thresholds for the Gebruiksoppervlakte (usable floor area) and outlines a points-based logic for the physical layout of the storage space.
Professional users, including architects and permit applicants, must use this brief to justify their building plans during the environmental permit (omgevingsvergunning) process. The following sections detail the mandatory metrics and management standards required for compliance.
Mandatory Number of Bicycle Spaces
The number of required bicycle spaces is determined by the usable floor area of the individual dwelling. While double-level racks are permitted, the regulation stipulates that at least two spaces per dwelling must always be available in a low rack.
- Dwellings < 50 m²: 2 bicycle spaces required.
- Dwellings 50 – 75 m²: 3 bicycle spaces required.
- Dwellings 75 – 100 m²: 4 bicycle spaces required.
- Dwellings 100 – 125 m²: 5 bicycle spaces required.
- Dwellings > 125 m²: 6 bicycle spaces required.
Internal Storage Requirements
When utilizing a communal bicycle storage, an additional internal storage room of at least 2.7 m² must be realized within the dwelling itself to compensate for the loss of private storage for other household items. This space must meet specific technical criteria:
- The storage must be realized as a single, contiguous room.
- The area occupied by water heaters, space heating units, or other building-related installations does not count toward the 2.7 m² minimum.
- Internal storage is not required for dwellings with a usable floor area smaller than 50 m².
Accessibility and Layout Factors
Equivalence is only granted if the communal storage is easily accessible. The permit application must include a justification of the accessibility based on several positive and negative influencing factors.
- Positive factors: Access via a single door, electronic locks, ground-level positioning, presence of a ramp or bike-compatible lift, electric stair assistance, and rack spacing exceeding 2 meters.
- Negative factors: Access via multiple doors, positioning above or below ground level (layers +1 or -1), stairs equipped only with bicycle gutters, and rack spacing of less than 2 meters.
- Distance: A walking distance of less than 25 meters from the building entrance to the storage and then to the elevator/stairwell is considered positive, while distances exceeding 25 meters are negative.
Legal Management and Notarial Requirements
The communal facility must be managed to ensure long-term availability for residents. Specific private law and administrative requirements apply to the allocation of spaces.
- Allocation of spaces per apartment must be recorded by a notary in accordance with the Bouwbrief schemes.
- Usage and management rules must be included in the internal house regulations (huishoudelijk reglement).
- Bicycle spaces must be numbered according to the house numbers of the corresponding dwellings.
- Assigned spaces for a single dwelling must be located adjacent to each other.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum size for the internal storage room?
For dwellings larger than 50 m², an internal storage of at least 2.7 m² is required in addition to the communal bicycle parking.
Can building installations be placed in the 2.7 m² internal storage?
Yes, but the floor area occupied by installations like water heaters or heating units cannot be counted toward the required 2.7 m² minimum.
How many bike spaces are required for a 90 m² apartment?
According to the table in Bouwbrief 2015-130, a dwelling between 75 and 100 m² requires 4 bicycle spaces.
Are double-decker bicycle racks permitted in Amsterdam communal storages?
Yes, double racks are allowed, provided that at least two spaces per dwelling are located in a low rack.
What is the maximum acceptable walking distance to the bicycle storage?
A walking distance of less than 25 meters from the building entrance to the storage and the main circulation point is a positive accessibility factor; more than 25 meters is considered negative.
Is a bicycle storage required for apartments smaller than 50 m²?
While these apartments still require bicycle spaces (2 per unit), they are exempt from the additional 2.7 m² internal storage requirement.
How must bicycle spaces be assigned to residents?
Spaces must be numbered with the corresponding house numbers, and the allocation must be legally recorded in a notarial act and the house regulations.
