In recent years, bicycle use has grown in communities across the country. This shift allows riding individuals to decrease their cost of living with lower automobile-related expenses, to spend less of their time dealing with the headaches of intense traffic, and to elevate their personal fitness. However, with the increased use of bikes also comes the need for greater safe cycling education, specialized bike lanes on roads, and community support and encouragement for a successful bicycle program.
Like with a car, bicycle parking and security are of the utmost importance, and are key elements in promoting active transportation. Because of that, the growth in cycling, plus the movement toward creating healthy, sustainable communities, has led to new bicycle parking trends.
Overall, the best way to park and secure a bicycle is by utilizing a bicycle locker, which protects against theft and weather elements, while also providing storage for a cyclist’s gear. Bicycle Lockers are designed to fit one or two bikes per door, with options for either single-sided or dual-sided access. Each bike locker occupies an approximate area of 42" x 78", which can be reduced with modular stacking units. To accommodate the locker door span, cyclists, and their bikes, access aisles are needed, with six feet being the ideal amount of aisle space.
To create a high quality product, bicycle locker construction material and locking mechanisms are crucial to dependability. For lower maintenance and durability, high security locks and compression-molded composite (SMC) are suggested, as opposed to fiberglass or metal lockers. In fact, lockers made of certain materials, such as metal, can pose possible harm to bicycles in extreme temperatures.
While bicycle lockers are designed to support riders and the environment, the transportation shelters can also be used to increase awareness of a business, community program, and more. CycleSafe, a leading manufacturer of bicycle parking units, offers the option to furnish bicycle lockers with side display panels for way-finding, branding, marketing, and beyond for potential revenue generation. Cyclist gear storage bins can also be added to the locker side panels. For further information on developing a bike parking program, refer to CycleSafe's Planning Bike Parking Facilities Guide.
For indoor storage in parking garages or unutilized building spaces, many are creating bike rooms. These rooms typically include vertical bike parking for space efficiency or high-density racks for maximum use of space and large bike quantities. For examples of bike room layouts, see CycleSafe's Bike Room Layout Guide.
Community cycling has been known to increase business activity in cities. To accommodate cyclists and maximize earning potential, the use of Bike Corrals or Bike Stalls can transform sidewalks and on-street car parking into bicycle parking. The corrals or bike stalls can be permanent installations or mounted on channel rails, allowing for removal during the off-season.
For greater security with rack parking, it is recommended to choose a rack that secures both the bike frame and wheel. Most suggested is the classic U Rack, which includes a crossbar to eliminate a thief’s ability to force a bike to the ground and remove it with a pipe cutter.
Selecting a bike rack that is manufactured of heavy-duty tubing, not piping, is preferred for durability, as well as choosing a high quality finish, such as a rubberized Plastisol coating or TGIC powder coat. The U Rack is widely regarded as the go-to standard for space efficiency and bicycle protection, all of which helps to maintain stability and improve pedestrian access.
When it comes to short-term parking needs, bike racks are the answer. Additionally, bike racks are available in multiple design options, allowing for attractive integration into an outdoor space.
Also good for short-term parking, Bike Shelters meet the need for covered, on-demand, mid-level security parking, combined with bicycle racks. The units can feature side and back panels for further protection and to include promotional graphics or way-finding messages. Bike Shelters also deliver higher visibility for storing and organizing bikes.
Founded in 1980, CycleSafe provides secure bicycle parking products worldwide, many of which are still in use after more than 35 years. CycleSafe creates long-lasting products with high quality materials that support sustainable solutions. Long-lasting products enable society to conserve resources with a lower impact on the environment by using energy efficiencies and raw material management. To improve community image and promote a healthy lifestyle through cycling, please contact [email protected] or visit CycleSafe.com.
