Build it and they will ride. Installing bicycle parking racks in front of a business encourages local traffic to patronize the site. A problem many riders encounter is a lack of safe places to secure their bicycle when they arrive at a place. Bicycle parking racks can alleviate this problem.

There are a wide range of racks available. Choosing one will depend on the amount of available space for the rack and the bicycles parked at it. One type commonly encountered is grid bicycle parking racks. These racks have an upright grill in the middle for holding the front tire of a bicycle. One bike fits into each slot on the grid. The total number of bicycles grid bicycle parking racks can hold will depend on the length of the rack. Grid bicycle parking racks require ample space on one side for the back portion of the bicycle to rest while the front tire is in the center grid.

Wave bicycle parking racks look like works of modern art. These are built into the ground and used to secure bicycles. Since the safest way to lock bikes to a wave bicycle parking rack is on the side, the amount of space is reduced, meaning sometimes these racks cannot hold as many bicycles as grid bicycle racks. To overcome this problem, installation of several wave bicycle parking racks in an area increases the number of bicycle parking spaces. Using multiple units also has the advantage of spreading out the bicycle parking to cater to riders coming from different locations. Not only do several wave bicycle parking racks increase the spots available, they will add a visually interesting decoration on the site for their sleek, undulating style.

To provide individual parking spots over a large area, U style bicycle parking racks are available. These let a rider park his bicycle directly at his destination. For large-scale areas frequented by bicyclists such as open-design business, school campuses or parks, U style bicycle parking racks are a good option. Because they are small in size, they do not obstruct walkways, and they are easily accessible. Their design is similar to wave racks, but instead of several curves, U style bicycle parking racks have a single bend. Among bicycle parking racks, the U style can fit into the smallest of available spaces. Adding several to an area increases the number of cyclists who can park.

Choosing between grid bicycle parking racks, U style bicycle parking racks and wave bicycle parking racks will be based on the amount of available space and the expected number of cyclists who will use the rack. Because this decision is strictly based on individual circumstances, the best bicycle parking racks are different for different sites.