WHAT MAKES A GOOD BIKE RACK?

By Lou Fineberg National Account Manager This post first appeared in Strong Cities during his Cycling Week. The bike ring is a bike carrier, right? If you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all … In fact, parking a bike isn’t that easy. I have been intensively involved in bicycle parking for almost 15 years. As a lawyer, I co-founded Bike Pittsburgh and now work for Dero in a bike park and communicate with bike advocates across the country. Here are my comments on proper bike parking.

 Location

Bicycle parking should be in an easily accessible, well-lit, safe and possibly protected place. It should be located as close as possible to the entrances to the building or at least as close as possible to the nearest car park. Properly parking, bicycles can increase space, welcome cyclists and encourage even more people to ride. If done incorrectly, it may cause indifference, frustration, eye contact or cause danger. Imagine you have roads, but there is no place to park cars. As more and more cities develop cycle paths, cycle paths and green paths, it is necessary to park bicycles. Otherwise, as every urban planner will tell you, we welcome the chaos in our public spaces. Good regulations and planning help municipalities and organizations decide where bikes should be parked. Hubs and shipping stores are an obvious place for bike racks, but it’s also important to look for cities and Jane Jacobs, which is respected by watching people interact with places to help us figure out where they work best. Some unused bicycle parking spaces are confused with breakdowns, but usually in the wrong place, not on the bike. Remote bike parks are often overlooked.

Security and stability are key

The bicycle must be able to rest securely on the bike carrier – two points of contact are ideal. The frame and the front wheel, which can be rotated, must rest completely on the carrier and can be locked on the wheel carrier with a U-shaped lock or similar lock. This ensures safety and stability, the basic requirements for good bicycle parking. When choosing a parking space for bicycles, a few basic questions will help to find a good solution: is it intended for short-term (less than 2 hours) or long-term (more than 2 hours) use? Comfort is more important than protection in short-term parking, and protection from the elements is more important than in the long term. How many bikes do you have to park? What is the location and size of the room? What is the budget? Bicycle stands are designed to best match side roads, street landscapes, indoor and outdoor buildings. Horizontal, vertical, overlapping and customizable options are available, all tailored to different needs and spaces. Cabinets, shelters and rooms for bicycles are best for long-term storage of bicycles for greater safety and protection from the elements.

ROLE OF THE GOVERNMENT

The local government can play a crucial role in ensuring proper bicycle parking. Their tools include specifications in the city code that determine the appropriate design and number of bicycle parking spaces. San Francisco has one of the most comprehensive bicycle parking regulations in the country and has resulted in a significant increase in indoor bicycle storage. Simplified approval procedures for bike carriers on public roads and events contribute to a significant increase in the availability of bicycles. Cities that really want to promote cycling for bike stalls in commercial areas have allocated money, even the modest ones. Sometimes it’s part of a cost-sharing program that helps spread dollars more, like Minneapolis. Understanding and working in a political climate in which legislation is passed is also important. Proper enforcement helps ensure compliance.

THE ROLE OF THE INDIVIDUAL

One of the most important roles is to support more parking bikes. Governments usually do not act before the people speak. If you feel that your voice is not audible, contact your local organization and help them make parking your bike a big deal. Fortunately

Fortunately, the current growth in the use of bicycles for transportation makes it easier to discuss your business. This also applies to companies. In the past, investments in bicycles were often made in the category of ‘the right thing to do’. Today, they are seen as a smart investment because bike sheds and other bike facilities attract people (customers and employees) who make demands. If you are a business owner, you may want to consider installing a bike rack outside your store / office.

INSPIRATION, CREATIVITY AND FUN

Custom bike racks can be imaginative and help identify shops, neighborhoods, neighborhoods and cities. The key to a successful custom rack is that it must also be functional. The Pittsburgh Bike started with a public art bike rack called the Three Rivers Rack (see video to the right). He caught the attention of the public in a way that got him recognition and support almost instantly. Then we quickly learned the power of the bike rack. It is not only a place to park a bike, but it is also a symbol that marks the places that support bikes and encourage more people to ride. Bike Pittsburgh also used a “Pop Up” grant in partnership with the Pittsburgh Parking Authority to rename a small portion of a dedicated parking lot to eight bike racks. The colorful project, called Space Invaders, dramatically increased the number of bicycle parking spaces and produced a previously unnoticed space. Another project, led by an affordable housing developer, brought the entire side of a historic building in downtown Pittsburgh to the bicycle parking facility. They used refurbished shipping containers at the bottom of the building and saw it with a large mural that thousands of commuters see every day.

SIMILARITY IN THE CARDS

Bicycle parking can also be a way for developers to offset parking requirements when the local code allows for a significant bicycle parking exchange – a common feature of enlightened legislation that reflects evolving opportunities. Many urban developments have benefited from barter. Lena Andrews, head of planning and development at Action Housing in Pittsburgh, is adamant that “affordable housing should not be about cars.” Facilities that meet the needs of low-income people are best located in areas that are accessible on foot, bicycles and public transport. This can make the projects more economically viable for the developers as the bike shed is extremely cheap in terms of parking and also saves space, which in this case increases the number of units for a project. Win wins. Gradually, parking of bicycles is increasingly becoming a post idea. Ten years ago, the city of Pittsburgh did not have a clear mechanism for installing a Three Rivers bike rack, and it was difficult to navigate all of the boroughs involved. However, our staff receives signatures from landowners and property owners nearby and solves the problem of paying congestion charges. After some perseverance, bicycle parking became a spectacular catalyst that inspired fun and creativity and challenged us to rethink public space. It has become part of the public conversation. The City of Pittsburgh now has a special bike parking website. Do not hesitate: a well-planned bike shed improves life, makes cycling comfortable and encourages people to enjoy the city on two wheels.