Maintenance and Management of the Parking Environment

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Contents 1 Maintenance and Management of the Parking Environment 2 References

Maintenance and Management of the Parking Environment

1. Damaged or vandalised cycles left in public view signal the insecurity of cycle parking.^[1]
2. Cycle parking management should be active. Open stands can benefit from notices indicating that bicycles continuously parked for periods exceeding a specified number of days may be removed and disposed of within the normal conditions for abandoned property (usually held for a period and then sold, scrapped or recycled). Care should of course be taken that the weeding out of disused bikes does not include any legitimately parked bikes.^[2]
3. Bicycle parking areas need to be designed for quick and easy maintenance. Surfaces under and around stands and lockers should be easy to sweep.^[3]
4. Installed cycle parking needs to remain attractive. Paintwork should be kept clean, there should be no leaves nor litter around the parking, and it should be kept free of abandoned bikes. Parking equipment which is damaged, or contains abandoned bikes, will discourage potential users. The whole life cost of cleaning and maintaining the facility must be considered prospectively, and in relation to the selection and placement of equipment, and the implications of the colour/finish of any paintwork and strength and resilience of any plastic sheeting used.^[4]
5. Outdoor parking is exposed to the elements, so any moving parts requiring lubrication or adjustment would have to be subject to an active management regime. Cycle rack devices with slots or grooves as part of their operating mechanism collect water and rubbish very easily, and need to be regularly cleaned.^[5]
6. Parking should have low ongoing maintenance requirements and avoid the need for staffed management of the parking (which can create practical difficulties with public sites, if integral locking mechanisms or coin operated devices are a feature).^[6]
7. Sheffield stands require relatively little maintenance. However, as with any multiple-user facility, they do need routine inspection and maintenance.^[7]
8. Where moving parts, such as gates, doors or latches are proposed, you may additionally wish to seek advice from your local authority school premises or health & safety adviser.^[8]
9. 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.^[9]
10. Parking stands can be painted, supplied with a scratch resistant coating, or be stainless steel. This will maintain a quality finish within the urban landscape and prevent unnecessary damage to cycles.^[10]

References

1. ↑ Transport for London (2006). Workplace Cycle Parking Guide.
2. ↑ Department for Transport (2006). Key elements of cycle parking provision.
3. ↑ Transport for London (2006). Workplace Cycle Parking Guide. New South Wales Parking Guidelines (2005). CTC Best Practice Benchmarking: Cycle Parking (2003).
4. ↑ Nottinghamshire County Council (2006).Department for Transport (2006).
5. ↑ Department for Transport (2006). Key elements of cycle parking provision.
6. ↑ Wycombe District Council Cycle Parking Standards (2006).
7. ↑ London Cycling Campaign (2001).
8. ↑ Safe Routes to Schools (2007).
9. ↑ Bicycle Parking and Security Association: Quality Cycle Parking Standard (2003).
10. ↑ Sustrans Cycle Parking Sheet FF37 (2004).