C4
Online Guide to
Bike Parking
More and more people are enjoying the convenience and economic benefits
of traveling by bicycle. Every bicycle trip begins and ends with the
need for a safe and secure place to park one's bike. Fear of having a
bicycle stolen is one of the biggest deterrents to people riding to
their favorite destination. By providing secure and adequate bicycle
parking you can let people know that they and their bikes are welcome.
All buildings should have a few
bicycle parking spaces conveniently located near the main entrances for
visitors and customers!
Why invest
in bicycle parking?
+ Increase your overall parking capacity at little cost.
+ Gain a competitive advantage by attracting bicycling customers.
+ Eliminate the clutter, pedestrian hazards, and tree damage from
unplanned bicycle parking.
+ Attract and retain health conscious customers and employees.
Good
facilities attract users over time
+ Provide enough parking to accommodate current demand.
+ Make sure to leave room for expansion, since more racks may be needed.
Getting Started
The most important ways to ensure successful bicycle parking are to
install a good rack at a good location.
There are two types of bicycle parking: long- and shortterm. Short-term parking is
generally used for two hours or less by customers or guests and should
be located as close to the building’s main entrance as possible.
Long-term parking is usually used by employees, transit users or
residents and should have a high level of security and weather
protection. Long-term parking might be located indoors, in a garage or
in a fenced-in area.
Properly installed racks are not a
liability problem. Bicycle parking liability is the same as for
automobile parking and other sidewalk fixtures.
Many municipalities install short-term parking, in the form of bicycle
racks, free of charge or offer discounted bicycle racks
for installation by local businesses. Contact your public works or
planning department to request bike racks.
Types of Bike Racks
One of the most common ways to secure a bicycle for a short period of
time is by locking it to a parking meter. Like the
parking meter, the best short-term bike parking racks are simple designs, permanently installed into
the ground, that:
1. Accept U-shaped locks.
2. Allow the cyclist to easily lock the bike frame and one wheel to the rack.
Preferred bike rack designs:
Inverted U
Wave (seek wave racks that
provide a 20-24” wide bend)
Bollard/Post & Ring (ideal when sidewalk space is limited)
Racks to Avoid
1. Old-fashioned “schoolyard” or “fence” racks that only hold the wheel of the bike. These
racks do not allow both the
frame and wheel to be locked and they can bend the wheel if the bike
falls over.
2. Racks that are complicated to use. Bicyclists should be able to lock
up quickly and easily.
Locating Bicycle Parking
Convenience:
Is the parking area convenient to building entrances and street access?
Disperse racks along sidewalks in commercial districts to provide close
access to multiple storefronts.
Visibility:
Is the bicycle parking easily spotted upon arrival from the street? In
addition to attracting users, a high visibility location (e.g., in
front of a store window) discourages bike theft and vandalism.
Spacing:
Is the rack far enough away from walls and other obstacles? Can a
bicycle maneuver in and out even when other bikes are parked?
Sidewalk:
Are bike racks with planters and other street furniture to maintain
existing pedestrian flow? A ten-foot wide sidewalk is the minimum width
required to accommodate pedestrian flow and bicycle racks.
Weather Protection:
Is the bicycle parking area protected from inclement weather? Where
possible, install bike racks under an existing awning or
overhang. In rainy weather, it is helpful for cyclists to have a dry
place to put on raingear and load purchases.
Lighting:
Is the parking area well lit? Adequate lighting provides personal
security, discourages theft and helps prevent accidents.
Avoid Conflicts With Auto Parking:
Are bicycle and auto-parking areas separated by a physical barrier to
prevent parked bicycles from being damaged by motor vehicles?
Publicize Your Bike Parking:
Often it is helpful to post a sign to direct cyclists to parking.
Bike Parking Manufacturers
When comparing prices, keep material, coating quality and rack capacity
in mind. Square
tubing, while slightly more expensive than round tubing, is more secure
because it resists cutting. Remember,
short-term bike racks can serve as long-term parking when installed
inside, in a fenced-in area or other secure locations.
American Bicycle Security
www.ameribike.com
800-245-3723
Bike Security Racks
www.bikeracks.com
800-545-2757
Bike Up
www.bikeup.com
800-661-3506
Brandir International
www.ribbonrack.net
212-505-6500
Cora
www.cora.com
800-354-8624
Creative Metalworks
www.creativemetalworks.cc
888-BIKE RAX
Creative Pipe
www.creativepipe.com
800-644-8467
cycle-safe
www.cyclesafe.com
888-950-6531
Dero
www.dero.com
888-337-6729
Dobra Design
www.dobradesign.com
604-733-9486
Function First Bike Security
www.bikerack.com
888-245-3742
G.F. Structures
www.gfstructures.com
773-626-4122
Graber
www.graberproducts.com
800-542-6644
Huntco Supply
www.huntco.com
800-547-5909
Madrax
www.madrax.com
800-448-7931
Palmer Group
www.bikeparking.com
888-764-2453
Sunshine U-Lok
www.sunshineu-lok.com
818-707-0110
Long-term
Bicycle Parking
The simplest and most common way to provide long-term parking is to
allow bicycles to be brought and stored inside the workplace. When this
is not possible and bicycles must be left unattended for more than two
hours, a high level of security
and weather protection is desirable. Long-term parking solutions
include:
High security rack:
Rack with moving parts that secures the bicycle frame and both wheels
with a single lock.
Bicycle lid or rocker:
Hard plastic shell, hinged at the base, which securely encloses the
bicycle.
Bicycle room:
Locked room for storing bicycles, often with an access key or
combination lock.
Bicycle "cage":
Fenced area enclosing parked bicycles, often with an access key or
combination lock.
Bicycle locker:
Fully enclosed container typically rented or leased to a cyclist.
Lockers offer a high level of security and weather protection.
Model Bicycle Parking Ordinance
Many cities have incorporated bicycle
parking ordinances making satisfactory bicycle parking cumpulsory and
standardized. This is by far a better solution than relying on
voluntary compliance. Some cities which have successfully implemented
bicycle parking ordinances are Chicago, Santa Cruz, and Madison. Click here for a model bicycle parking ordinance.
Acknowledgements
Thanks to the Chicagoland Bicycle
Federation for their assistance in producing this online guide.