Bicycle Parking: Quality Counts

This Presentation Why? Good Racks and Not-So-Good Racks Location, Location, Location! How Many? Making Sure They Don’t Fall Through the Cracks

Benefits of Quality Bicycle Parking 88% of Orlando area bicycle owners surveyed said having a good place to park their bicycle was an important or very important consideration when deciding whether or not to travel by bicycle Bicycle parking was a more important factor than bike lanes (70%) or trails (77%)

Benefits of Quality Bicycle Parking 6+ bicycles fit in one car space Minimizes pedestrian conflicts; damage to trees & other amenities Promotes cycling = a healthier, cleaner, quieter community; 35% of residents are unable to own or operate a motor vehicle

Good Racks Support bicycle at at least two points above the hubs Allow better securing of bikes Don’t have sharp edges to damage bikes Encourage proper use or prohibit improper use

Good Racks U Can’t Go Wrong with the Inverted U

Good Racks This “winder” rack encourages proper use and can handle up to 6 bikes

Not-So-Good Racks This rack supports the bike adequately, but makes it difficult to remove and lock the front wheel

Not-So-Good Racks This rack only supports the bike at one point

Not-So-Good Racks This popular “ribbon” rack only supports the bike at one point when used properly, and invites improper use.

Not-So-Good Racks Such “school-yard” racks are also called “wheel-benders.” Because they only support the bike by the front and bottom of the wheel, toppled bikes can suffer wheel damage.

Not-So-Good Racks A stylish and more functional version of the “wheel-bender.” It only provides good support for two bikes.

Good Racks This decorative rack can handle up to 4 bikes and works well, but…

Location & Placement …racks should be installed on a paved surface. Soil can stay wet and muddy long after the pavement has dried.

Location & Placement Racks placed too close to walls don’t allow users to fully secure or support their bikes.

Location & Placement Any Wonder?

Location & Placement Don’t make the user carry his or her bike up and down stairs.

Location & Placement Will this rack ever be used ?

Location & Placement Well-positioned racks ARE used. Some jurisdictions require bicycle parking to be at least as close to the front door as the closest non- ADA auto parking space.

Location & Placement Note how this rack keeps bikes out of the normal path of pedestrians. Remember your ADA minimums!

Location & Placement While this is a poor quality rack, it is well-placed. If the awning extended farther the bikes would be protected from rain.

Location & Placement The placement of this rack requires cyclists to walk their bikes between tables at this restaurant. Not surprisingly, cyclists prefer to use the fence along the sidewalk instead.

Location & Placement Hard to find, awkward entry, unsheltered, cramped, unpaved, and water collects at the bottom of the slope. Any surprise it’s empty?

Location & Placement An excellent short term parking opportunity at the same property as the previous slide. Rain protection, shade, easy to find, out of the pedestrian flow, and visible from the security desk.

Long-Term Parking Bike lockers are intended for employees. They secure not only the bike, but also its accessories, and protect them from the elements.

Long-Term Parking Bike lockers should be made of durable materials such as galvanized steel or reinforced composites such as fiberglass. Various locking mechanisms are available to serve varying needs.

Long-Term Parking This set of four lockers takes the place of one parking space in this garage.

Concerns for Planners Does your jurisdiction have a list of approved bike rack types? Does your jurisdiction have bike parking codes for various land uses? Codes should address short term, long term, location & placement, and shower & locker facilities for large employers. Metroplan Orlando has model codes.

Concerns for Developers Rack cost (locker cost) Shipping cost Installation cost Style Competing space needs Maintenance (and administration and security for bike lockers and shower & locker facilities)

Concerns for Developers Installation cost: this rack provides support at two points above the hubs, while only requiring one attachment point to the ground.

Concerns for Developers Shipping cost: this rack only requires two ground attachment points for six spaces, but has a high shipping cost due to its shape and size.

Concerns for Permit Review Is bike parking on your check list? Is project required to have bicycle parking? Short term? Long term? Best location(s)? Does rack meet design requirements? Consider FAR bonuses or reducing auto parking requirements as incentives for good bike parking, lockers, and showers.

For More Information Contact: Mighk Wilson Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator METROPLAN ORLANDO ext Pedestrian and Bicycle Planning and Design Best Practices Resource Guide