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 nonADA 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
407-481-5672 ext. 318
mwilson@metroplanorlando.com
www.metroplanorlando.com
Pedestrian and Bicycle Planning and Design Best Practices Resource Guide
http://www.metroplanorlando.com/site/upload/documents/bikeped_best_practices.pdf