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 Things to Consider When Planning a Bicycle Rack Purchase |
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| When planning a commercial bicycle rack purchase, there are many additional factors to consider. You must consider the needs of the cyclist, their bicycle, your property and the safety of other patrons. For example, if a bicycle rack is too small for a given bicycle, the needs of the bicycle and the cyclist are equally ignored. Or, if your property is insufficiently lit, it increases the likelihood of bicycle theft or property damage—essentially ignoring the needs of all parties involved. |
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| Bicycle Racks in Commercial Areas: |
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| Bicycle racks in commercial areas are used mostly by shoppers for brief durations of time, or by business employees for longer durations. As the type and placement of bicycle racks differs, so does its appropriateness for the two groups. Security is very important to both types of users; but convenience is a priority to short-term shoppers, while shelter from the elements is a priority to long-term (employee) users. Furthermore, short-term parkers usually only need to secure the frame of their bicycle to a stationary object; where as long-term parkers need to lock-up the frame and both wheels to something with a more secure structure. General guidelines for customer bicycle parking in commercial areas are as follows: |
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| A Distributed Bicycle Rack Approach: Ideal for Shopping Centers and Malls |
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| Multiple clusters of small bicycle racks distributed throughout the area and located close to individual destinations are preferable to a smaller number of large racks, which may not fit easily into a commercial site plan. Cyclists prefer to park their bicycles very close to their destinations and will lock the bicycle to anything available unless a rack is immediately nearby. Rarely does one see more than two bicycles parked at any single retail location; but at major destinations such as grocery anchored community centers, where there are clusters of stores, distributed bicycle racks ideal. At indoor shopping malls and multiplex cinemas, a higher concentration of bicycle racks are ideally placed near entrances and under a covered area. |
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| U Style, Wave Style and Bollard Style Bicycle Racks are Preferable |
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| Bicycle Racks should accept both U-Locks and Cables passed through the frame of the bicycle. The U-lock is the most secure solution but allows for a very short distance between the frame and the rack. Old-style parking racks that hold the bicycle at the front tire are undesirable because the bicycle frame cannot be placed close enough to the rack to use the U-lock; unless the bicycle is parked sideways, taking up the entire rack. |
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| The wrong rack can damage a customer’s bicycle. Bicycle racks should not hold the bicycle by the wheel because application of force to the bicycle can bend the wheel; and also because cyclists prefer to lock the frame of the bicycle to the rack. Most bicycles that are worth stealing feature quick-release hubs on the wheels. If the cyclist locks just the front wheel to the rack they may return to find only the wheel remaining.Cyclists who frequently park long-term will lock the frame to the bicycle rack but pass a cable through the wheels or use locking hubs to keep the wheels from being stolen. |
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Bicycle Rack Placement is Important - The goal is to make your customers comfortable that their bicycles are safe so they will stay longer and spend more. |
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| Bicycle Parking Racks for customers should be in public view with high visibility and good lighting. Avoid placing racks where a thief or vandal could work without fear of being immediately noticed. Experienced cyclists will not park their bicycles out of public view. |
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| Racks should also be close to building entrances to make bicycling more convenient. The farther away the bicycle rack is from streets and exits the safer it is. The closer a bicycle rack is placed to automobile parking, exits, street, etc.; the easier it is for a bicycle thief to get away with it. |
| Racks should be covered by building roof overhangs, where possible, in order to protect bicycles from extreme weather. |
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| Bicycles should not block pedestrian ways, or road ways, by jutting out into the sidewalk or street. Racks should be designed to allow the parked bicycle to be oriented parallel to minimize obstruction. This also makes a potential bicycle thief more visible, and easier to stop. |
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We got the racks yesterday. Thanks for rushing them.
T.M. - Oklahoma City, OK
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I wanted you to know that Alaina made suggestions that saved us money on our order. We appreciate being dealt with that way.
C.F. - Chesapeake, VA
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We just installed the new racks and I have had numerous complements from our tenants on how it has improved the look and feel of the shopping center.
W.A. - Albany, NY
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Though my budget was only $150, I still found exactly what I needed!
T.C. - Augusta, GA
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Many companies don't like dealing with customers in Alaska, but not you guys. It was a pleasure. Thanks, Noelle!
C.W. - Juneau, AK
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Thank you, Esther, for your help. I appreciate how efficient you have been.
S.D. - San Francisco, CA
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