Cycle Parking Furniture and Facilities

From BikeOff Parking Standards Consultation

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The aim of this wiki is to consult you on current bicycle parking advice and to combine knowledge, expertise and experience to produce comprehensive and definitive guidelines. The information contained in this WIKI represents a “best of breed” for bicycle parking provision generated from a representative sample of available guidelines. The objective is to create guidance that people agree on and want to see applied. YOU are encouraged to contribute to this process. To do this simply open an account through clicking in the top right-hand corner of your screen. Then to edit any text click on the 'edit' tab at the top right hand corner of each section. To discuss any issues without altering the text you can click on the discussion tab at the top of the screen. If there is content you feel is missing but you do not have the answer (i.e. advice that you seek) then please include a request for this content to be added so that someone else may respond. When you have finished you can return to the 'Home Page' using the navigation link on the left of your screen. For further wiki-related help click here[[1]]

Contents 1 Types of parking furniture and alternative solutions 2 General 3 Requirements of Parking Furniture (Racks and Stands) 3.1 (Dos) Security and Locking for Racks and Stands 3.2 (Don’ts) Security and Locking for Racks and Stands 3.3 (Dos) Materials for Racks and Stands 3.4 (Don’ts) Materials for Racks and Stands 3.5 (Dos) Requirements of Parking Facilities (Lockers, Cages, Cycle Rooms and Compounds) 3.6 (Dos) Material considerations for Lockers, Cages, Cycle Rooms or Compounds 3.7 (Don’ts) Things to avoid with Lockers, Cages, Cycle Rooms and Compounds 4 References

Types of parking furniture and alternative solutions

1. Cycle parking furniture is now available in a wide variety of designs. A typology of cycle parking equipment can be summarised as follows:^[1]
   1. Stands, such as the Sheffield (which is ∩-shaped) stand, tend to be regarded by cyclists as simple street furniture which should be free to use. These are widely recognised by the public as well as cyclists;
   2. Racks, configurations of parking furniture that have multiple stands joined together are referred to as racks and, in the case of Sheffield stands, frequently as 'toast racks':^[2];
   3. Lockers provide more secure storage for cycles, helmets and riding gear, but require more management:^[3]. Cyclists generally recognise this and are increasingly willing to pay a fee for their use. Locker design should be such that contents are visible and that a management regime is practical both for operation and to discourage misuse; ##Compounds are fenced and often roofed facilities with controlled access. Again cyclists may be willing to pay for compound use if these are seen to provide a safe and secure service. ^[4]
   4. Cycle centres are modern managed areas offering high levels of security and can include proximity card access control. These are now popular in some countries in northern Europe. ^[5]

The subsections that follow summarise available advice concerning what to look for in cycle parking furniture and what to avoid.

General

1. Most racks are misused by users to some degree. Look for racks which provide the same opportunity for security whether the bike is on the end or middle of the rack. Where some racks are misused the capacity may be cut by as much as 90%.^[6]
2. Empty racks should not cause a tripping hazard for the visually impaired. Provide a tapping rail (maximum height above ground 150mm) so that an empty rack cannot be walked into.^[7] Alternatively, provide a tactile surface around the parking area.^[8] Better still, where space is available, site the parking away from pedestrian desire lines.
3. Security is the most important requirement. It is needed for both short and long term purposes and it is needed in convenient on and off street locations.^[9][10]
4. The design of parking furniture has to ensure peace of mind ^[11] and those using the parking should not feel that their personal security is at risk.^[12]
5. Stands located in a locked shed or compound are much more secure.^[13]
6. The more short-term the parking and the more secure the location, the simpler the bike parking furniture can be. Normally, the facility should allow for the bike frame and wheels to be locked to a fixture/immovable object.^[14]
7. Other items at risk are bags, bike pumps, lights and helmets and therefore the provision of lockers is welcome. U-stands make no provision for locking for helmets or other riding gear.^[15]
8. The completed cycle stand installation, including all materials, finishes, and fixings must have a minimum service life of 10 years when maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.^[16]
9. Bike lockers can be considered for areas without a lot of continuous oversight (surveillance) and in situations where bicycles need good weather protection.^[17] But careful consideration should be given to the level of security offered, since cycle lockers vary greatly. Coin operatd lockers are not recommended, because of their tendency to attract thieves, unless another level of security is offered.^[18][19]
   
10. For larger developments the provision of shower/changing/drying facilities and lockers (to enable the storage of clothing and equipment) are important to encouraging cycling.^[20]

Requirements of Parking Furniture (Racks and Stands)

(Dos) Security and Locking for Racks and Stands

1. Facilities provided should cover the security requirements of the likely users (see short and long stay recommendations above).
2. Encourage good locking practice through design.^[21]
   
3. Bicycle furniture should be compatible with a variety of different locks.^[22]
4. In all cases, locking the frame and wheels with one or two ‘U’- or ‘D’-locks, as well as other chains and cables, must be made easy or encouraged by the design of the parking.^[23]
   
5. Locking opportunities should be offered for a wide variety of cycle frame types and sizes to be secured, in a way that suits the individual user.^[24]
6. For front-in cycle parking, a U-lock should be able to lock the front wheel and the down tube of an upright bicycle. For back-in parking, a U-lock should be able to lock the rear wheel and seat tube of the bicycle.^[25]
7. Bicycle furniture should allow both the wheel (ideally front and back) and the frame of a bicycle to be locked without the cyclist having to remove either wheel.^[26]
8. Where no better solution is available, a U-stand (also known as ‘Sheffield’ stand) offers an affordable accepted minimum locking security in many cases, when situated properly.^[27]
   
9. The lock should not be allowed to slip to the floor. It should be impossible to easily move a locked bicycle in such a way as to bring the lock within 25cm of the ground.^[28]
10. There are advantages in having an additional crossbar to a U-stand (or similar) to enable a wider variety of bike types and sizes to be locked securely and it can prevent the locks slipping.^[29]
11. To avoid damage to a bike the frame of the bike should be supported, not just the wheels.^[30]
12. Where a stand is designed to accommodate two cycles, the bicycles on either side should not hinder each other's stability.^[31]
13. For added safety a hardened steel chain can be welded to the rack, then the cyclists only have to carry a lock with them. ^[32]
    
14. In the case of short-stay cycle stand designs with integral locking, the integral lock must meet security requirements. Improper use by a third party should be impossible; the anti-theft feature should be available to anyone possessing a bicycle and lock, including key, only (should not operate exclusively with the aid of money, a chip card or any other specific item).^[33]
15. No complex maneuver should be required to operate any anti-theft feature and/or fastening the bicycle to parking furniture. No excessive effort should be required to operate the anti-theft feature.^[34]
16. In case of attack of an integrated fastening feature and/or boltsystem, these should resist for at least 1.5 minutes against wrongful opening and consequent removal of the bicycle. In case part of the parking furniture remains attached to the bicycle lock after attack, the resistance time may be reduced to at least 1 minute.^[35]
17. In the case where the parking furniture is equipped with an anti-theft feature with an integrated lock, this lock should resist for at least 3 minutes against wrongful opening and consequent removal of the bicycle, when attacked.^[36]
18. A target minimum security level for short-term parking is that cycles should not be able to be stolen within 30 seconds.^[37]
19. Wall mounted cycle fixing rings and bars have been successfully used where space is limited and parking occasional. If walls are privately owned then permission will be required. Fixing rings of about 150mm diameter (or bars of at least this length) should be fitted between 700-800mm high. They can be galvanised or stainless steel. Longer and larger bars will give greater flexibility of locking points. Vertical bars will also allow small-wheeled foldable cycles to be secured.^[38]
20. There are a variety of stand designs available, but generally the stand creates a horizontal bar with two vertical supports The larger tube sizes tend to be more secure, as there is less space to lever apart the widely used D lock. Recommended dimensions for bicycle stands are:
    1. external diameter of tube: 50 mm minimum 75 mm maximum

    2. thickness of tube wall: 25 mm minimum
    3. radius of bend: 100 mm minimum 250 mm maximum
    4. length of stand: 700 mm minimum 1000 mm maximum

    5. height of stand above ground level: 800 mm ± 50 mm
    6. baseplate for stands: 150 mm x 150 mm x 6 mm minimum

    7. extra length of vertical sections 250 mm minimum
    8. space between individual bars 850 mm ±100 mm
       
       
       
       
       
21. Height below ground level 250mm (if set in concrete) – additional pins or widened (cone) tubes below ground level may be necessary so that the stands can not be pulled out.
22. Bolts: if not set in concrete, at least two high security bolts (e.g. M10 bolts) passing through each baseplate, with the holes arranged for maximum stability.^[39]

(Don’ts) Security and Locking for Racks and Stands

1. Avoid stand heights of over 800mm, as they do not support smaller bikes.^[40]
2. Avoid cycle stands that only permit one or both wheels of the cycle to be locked to the cycle stand and not the frame, or vice versa.^[41]
   
3. Wheel slots and ‘butterfly’ stands are not normally acceptable in terms of security, especially in un-guarded locations. “Wheelbender” racks that only hold the front wheel are potentially damaging as well as being impossible to use properly with high-security U-locks. Cycles which have fallen over can cause a hazard to cycles as well as damaging the bike.^[42]
   
4. Hanging racks can be difficult for many users.^[43]
5. Concrete block with slots must never be used.^[44], Also avoid Comb racks and Wave racks.^[45]
   
6. Avoid racks that have a low profile or could cause a hazard to pedestrians.^[46]
7. Avoid wave style racks as bicyclists commonly use a wave rack as if it were a single inverted U stand. This limits the actual capacity of the rack to two bikes regardless of the potential or stated capacity. Bicycles parked perpendicular to a wave rack (as intended by the manufacturer) are not supported in two places and are more likely to fall over in the rack. The advertised capacity of a wave rack is usually much higher than the practical capacity.^[47]
   
8. Parking should avoid damage to the cycle whilst attached or when being secured.^[48]
9. Avoid bicycle furniture that could be hazardous to pedestrians (e.g. bicycle racks with protruding bars).^[49]

(Dos) Materials for Racks and Stands

1. Racks should be built from heavy duty, weather and tamper resistant materials.^[50]
2. Racks should be free of rust after 6 months of exposure to wind and weather or after 48 hours of salt-spray test (to be judged by the naked eye).^[51]
3. Synthetic materials used should be weather-resistant (temperature, moisture, UV, ozone) to such a degree that the mechanical properties still conform to at least 80% of the initial value after 15 years of use in all weathers.^[52]
4. The cycle stand must withstand cutting by a 300mm, 24 tracks per inch (tpi) hacksaw, at a rate of 1 cycle per second, for a minimum of 120 seconds.^[53]
5. Galvanised steel is virtually maintenance free and weather resistant. It can be powder coated in many colours though coatings can chip, scratch and deteriorate faster than unfinished galvanised steel. Stainless steel is also an attractive finish; it will be less likely to rust and look better for longer.^[54]
   
6. The preferred coating for stands is nylon (not plastic) on galvanised tubing. This is hard wearing and does not scratch nor peel easily, and in addition does not scratch cycles’ paintwork. Alternatively rubber coated stands offer even better protection to cycles.^[55]

(Don’ts) Materials for Racks and Stands

1. Racks that are painted chip and rust.^[56]
2. Plastic coating is not suitable as it tends to expand and peel away, particularly when the steel is not galvanised, while paint and powder coatings scratch and chip.^[57]
3. Avoid stand heights of over 800mm, as they do not support smaller bikes. A lower crossbar/panel can also provide support for children’s bikes, and accommodate the habit of some regular users of leaving their locks on the cycle stands. ^[58]

(Dos) Requirements of Parking Facilities (Lockers, Cages, Cycle Rooms and Compounds)

1. Cycle areas or shelters which have doors or are enclosed within a compound are better, since they provide improved security.^[59]
2. Where lockers are used, each unit should have a door for single bike access.^[60]
3. Cycles should be individually lockable inside the facility. Secure grounds are a deterrent to theft but unsecured bikes in a bike room or compound are an invitation for theft. A room alone isn't enough.^[61]
4. Of the hardware options, standing racks/U-stands are the most conventional^[62], however, for indoor parking wall-mounted racks are becoming increasingly popular because of their space efficiency.^[63]
5. If it is not possible to let visitors or customers use the compound, do not forget to provide some additional, free-access parking for them as well. Covered stands would be welcomed if visitors are likely to be on the premises for some time.^[64]
6. Access can be controlled by swipe cards, padlocks or time locks, programmed to open at busy times.^[65] If the parking system does rely on the use of keys, combinations or swipe cards etc, it is essential that the process of issuing them is managed efficiently so that they may be allocated to new cyclists as soon as possible.^[66]
7. Locker unit parking facilities require a great level of ongoing maintenance and a strategy to cover this should be developed prior to installation. Regular inspection should be conducted due to vandalism and security concerns.^[67]
8. Lockers require great attention to access and cleanliness.^[68]
9. Some operators opt to have clearance under the units and use a high-pressure water jet to clean out leaves and other debris. A clearance will help to make a locker unattractive for warehousing and sleeping, eliminate unsightly moss growth/corrosion and ventilate to remove smells and moisture from wet bikes/clothing. Other design details (e.g. flat and unbraced roof panels which can be damaged from being stood on and get tide marks from standing water), can influence the costs of maintaining the appearance and operation of a site.

(Dos) Material considerations for Lockers, Cages, Cycle Rooms or Compounds

1. Wall surfaces and vertical panels of cycle shelters and compounds should allow visibility into and beyond the structure, wherever possible, using either non-solid surfaces, transparent or semi-transparent polycarbonate.^[69]
2. Typical materials are fiberglass or stainless or galvanized coated steel. The average space requirement for 12 bikes is 20.5 ft in length and a width of 6.5 ft.^[70]

(Don’ts) Things to avoid with Lockers, Cages, Cycle Rooms and Compounds

1. Avoid lockers with coin-operated locks, as these can be a target of theft, and may attract various unintended uses.^[71]

References

1. ↑ British Parking Association: Parking for Bicycles (2005).
2. ↑ Hertfordshire County Council Cycle Parking Guide
3. ↑ Hertfordshire County Council Cycle Parking Guide
4. ↑ Local Transport Note 2/08 DfT 2008.
5. ↑ Local Transport Note 2/08 DfT 2008.
6. ↑ Cora Bike Rack (2007).
7. ↑ Pedestrian and Cycling Information Center (2007).Bicycle Parking and Security Association: Quality Cycle Parking Standard (2003).
8. ↑ Hertfordshire County Council Cycle Parking Guide
9. ↑ British Parking Association: Parking for Bicycles (2005).
10. ↑ Local transport Note 2/08 DfT 2008.
11. ↑ Sustrans (2007). Chapter 9 - Signing, Parking and Other Details.
12. ↑ Transport for London (2006). Workplace Cycle Parking Guide.
13. ↑ Sustrans (2007). Chapter 9 - Signing, Parking and Other Details.
14. ↑ International Bike Fund (2007).Safe Routes to Schools (2007).
15. ↑ Sustrans (2007). Chapter 9 - Signing, Parking and Other Details.British Parking Association: Parking for Bicycles (2005).
16. ↑ Bicycle Parking and Security Association: Quality Cycle Parking Standard (2003).
17. ↑ International Bike Fund (2007). Cambridgeshire Travel for Work Partnership (2007).Nottinghamshire County Council (2006).
18. ↑ Hertfordshire County Council Cycle Parking Guide
19. ↑ Bristol City Council: A Guide to Cycle Parking Provision (2005).
20. ↑ Sheffield City Council (2007).Runnymede Borough Council (2001). Supplementary Planning Guidance on Car Parking.Victoria Transport Policy Institute (2007). Bicycle Parking, Storage and Changing Facilities.Bristol City Council: A Guide to Cycle Parking Provision (2005). Wycombe District Council Cycle Parking Standards (2006).
21. ↑ University of Birmingham Cycle Security (2007).
22. ↑ Board of Stichting FietsParKeur: Standards for Bicycle Parking (2004). City of Portland Office of Transportation Bicycle Masterplan (1995).
23. ↑ Cora Bike Rack (2007).UrBike (2006). Thematic Working Groups: Parking of Bicycles. Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (2002). Bicycle Parking Guidelines. Santa Cruz California Bicycle Parking Ordinance (2007).Bicycle Parking and Security Association: Quality Cycle Parking Standard (2003). Wycombe District Council Cycle Parking Standards (2006).
24. ↑ Transport for London (2007). Cycling Design Standards.
25. ↑ Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (2002). Bicycle Parking Guidelines. University of Birmingham Cycle Security (2007).
26. ↑ Pedestrian and Cycling Information Center (2007). Sustrans Cycle Parking Sheet FF37 (2004). City of Portland Office of Transportation Bicycle Masterplan (1995). Board of Stichting FietsParKeur: Standards for Bicycle Parking (2004). Sheffield City Council (2007). Cora Bike Rack (2007).Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (2002). Bicycle Parking Guidelines. London Cycling Campaign (2001). UrBike (2006). Thematic Working Groups: Parking of Bicycles. Santa Cruz California Bicycle Parking Ordinance (2007). Wycombe District Council Cycle Parking Standards (2006).Bicycle Parking and Security Association: Quality Cycle Parking Standard (2003). Transport for London (2006). Workplace Cycle Parking Guide. Victoria Transport Policy Institute (2007). Bicycle Parking, Storage and Changing Facilities.
27. ↑ London Cycling Campaign (2001). Haringey Council (2006). Appendix 1 – Parking Standards. Bristol City Council: A Guide to Cycle Parking Provision (2005). Chester City Council Supplementary Planning Guidance: Parking Provision within Developments within Chester (2003). Lancaster University Cycle Parking Improvement Strategy (2007). Transport for London (2006). Workplace Cycle Parking Guide.
28. ↑ Transport for London (2007). Cycling Design Standards. Board of Stichting FietsParKeur: Standards for Bicycle Parking (2004).
29. ↑ Transport for London (2007). Cycling Design Standards. Cambridge Cycling Campaign Cycle Parking Standards (2006).
30. ↑ Sheffield City Council (2007). Cora Bike Rack (2007). Pedestrian and Cycling Information Center (2007). London Cycling Campaign (2001). Stutman, M. (2003). Planning for the Bicycle: Parking Issues and facilities Planning at the University of Waterloo. Sustrans Cycle Parking Sheet FF37 (2004). Santa Cruz California Bicycle Parking Ordinance (2007). Wycombe District Council Cycle Parking Standards (2006). Bicycle Parking and Security Association: Quality Cycle Parking Standard (2003). Board of Stichting FietsParKeur: Standards for Bicycle Parking (2004). City of Portland Office of Transportation Bicycle Masterplan (1995). Safe Routes to Schools (2007).
31. ↑ Board of Stichting FietsParKeur: Standards for Bicycle Parking (2004).
32. ↑ UrBike (2006). Thematic Working Groups: Parking of Bicycles.
33. ↑ Bicycle Parking and Security Association: Quality Cycle Parking Standard (2003). Board of Stichting FietsParKeur: Standards for Bicycle Parking (2004).
34. ↑ Board of Stichting FietsParKeur: Standards for Bicycle Parking (2004).
35. ↑ Board of Stichting FietsParKeur: Standards for Bicycle Parking (2004).
36. ↑ Board of Stichting FietsParKeur: Standards for Bicycle Parking (2004).
37. ↑ UrBike (2006). Thematic Working Groups: Parking of Bicycles.
38. ↑ Transport for London (2006). Workplace Cycle Parking Guide.
39. ↑ London Cycling Campaign (2001). Transport for London (2007). Cycling Design Standards.
40. ↑ Cambridgeshire Travel for Work Partnership (2007).
41. ↑ Local Transport Note 2/08 DfT 2008. Sheffield City Council (2007). Cora Bike Rack (2007). Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (2002). Bicycle Parking Guidelines. London Cycling Campaign (2001). UrBike (2006). Thematic Working Groups: Parking of Bicycles. Santa Cruz California Bicycle Parking Ordinance (2007). Wycombe District Council Cycle Parking Standards (2006). Bicycle Parking and Security Association: Quality Cycle Parking Standard (2003). Sustrans (2007). Chapter 9 - Signing, Parking and Other Details. Board of Stichting FietsParKeur: Standards for Bicycle Parking (2004). Transport for London (2006). Workplace Cycle Parking Guide.Victoria Transport Policy Institute (2007). Bicycle Parking, Storage and Changing Facilities. Safe Routes to Schools (2007). Sustrans (2007). Chapter 9 - Signing, Parking and Other Details.
42. ↑ Hertfordshire Cycle Parking Guide.Lancaster University Cycle Parking Improvement Strategy (2007).Victoria Transport Policy Institute (2007). Bicycle Parking, Storage and Changing Facilities. Cora Bike Rack (2007).Pedestrian and Cycling Information Center (2007).Transportation Alternatives: Bicycle Parking Solutions (2007). Sustrans Cycle Parking Sheet FF37 (2004). Santa Cruz California Bicycle Parking Ordinance (2007).Wycombe District Council Cycle Parking Standards (2006). Sustrans (2007). Chapter 9 - Signing, Parking and Other Details. Safe Routes to Schools (2007).
43. ↑ Wycombe District Council Cycle Parking Standards (2006).
44. ↑ Hertfordshire Cycle Parking GuideLancaster University Cycle Parking Improvement Strategy (2007).
45. ↑ Pedestrian and Cycling Information Center (2007).
46. ↑ Cora Bike Rack (2007). Sustrans (2007). Chapter 9 - Signing, Parking and Other Details.
47. ↑ Pedestrian and Cycling Information Center (2007).
48. ↑ Wycombe District Council Cycle Parking Standards (2006). Safe Routes to Schools (2007).
49. ↑ Sheffield City Council (2007). Cora Bike Rack (2007). International Bike Fund (2007). London Cycling Campaign (2001). Transportation Alternatives: Bicycle Parking Solutions (2007). Cambridge Massachusetts Bicycle Parking Requirements (1995).
50. ↑ Cora Bike Rack (2007). Pedestrian and Cycling Information Center (2007).
51. ↑ Board of Stichting FietsParKeur: Standards for Bicycle Parking (2004).
52. ↑ Board of Stichting FietsParKeur: Standards for Bicycle Parking (2004).
53. ↑ Board of Stichting FietsParKeur: Standards for Bicycle Parking (2004).
54. ↑ Bristol City Council: A Guide to Cycle Parking Provision (2005).Cora Bike Rack (2007). London Cycling Campaign (2001). Lancaster University Cycle Parking Improvement Strategy (2007). Transport for London (2007). Cycling Design Standards. New York City Bicycle Masterplan (1997).
55. ↑ Transport for London (2006). Workplace Cycle Parking Guide.
56. ↑ Transport for London (2007). Cycling Design Standards.Cora Bike Rack (2007).
57. ↑ Transport for London (2007). Cycling Design Standards.Cora Bike Rack (2007).
58. ↑ Cambridgeshire Travel for Work Partnership (2007).
59. ↑ Safe Routes to Schools (2007).
60. ↑ Cora Bike Rack (2007).
61. ↑ Cora Bike Rack (2007). Safe Routes to Schools (2007).
62. ↑ Safe Routes to Schools (2007).
63. ↑ Transportation Alternatives: Bicycle Parking Solutions (2007).
64. ↑ Transport for London (2006). Workplace Cycle Parking Guide.Safe Routes to Schools (2007).
65. ↑ Safe Routes to Schools (2007).
66. ↑ Transport for London (2006). Workplace Cycle Parking Guide.
67. ↑ Cora Bike Rack (2007). Cambridgeshire Travel for Work Partnership (2007).
68. ↑ Cambridgeshire Travel for Work Partnership (2007).
69. ↑ Lancaster University Cycle Parking Improvement Strategy (2007).
70. ↑ Transportation Alternatives: Bicycle Parking Solutions (2007).
71. ↑ International Bike Fund (2007).