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A valuable element of the built environment, bike parking design has progressed considerably over the years, in-line with the development of UK bike parking standards and an increasing demand for stylish, secure and cost effective product solutions.
When looking to choose the right bike parking solution for a project, it is vital to incorporate product design that maximises both usability and security, provides a long service life through a strong and durable manufacturing build, and ensures an appropriate capacity is provided for all users that considers both current requirements and potential increases in future demand.
What Are the Key Considerations?
While there is currently no fixed national policy for bike parking in the UK, the Bicycle Association and Cycle Rail Working Group have published their ‘Standards for Public Cycle Parking’ guide that outlines the requirements for public bike parking in the UK.
While most new-build developments will require provisions for bike parking, every project is different and the specific requirements for these will largely be determined by which sector the project falls under. For example, residential developments will likely require a greater capacity of bike parking spaces, while bike parking for transport hubs should focus on quick-access for commuters.
However, there are a wide range of bike parking solutions on offer and typically the following points should be considered for any project.
How many bike parking spaces are required?
- Aiming to provide a capacity of bike parking spaces that exceeds initial demand will help to accommodate future requirements should they vary, and restrict potential shortcomings. Effective bike parking designs should accommodate enough manoeuvrability for different bike types. As an example, spacing between individual Sheffield stands should be set at 8m centres as a minimum. For two-tier racks, 2.5m of frontal space is required if the stands are installed at 90 degrees to the aisle, alongside a minimum ceiling height of 2.7m for the upper tier.
How much space do you have available?
- Restrictions on the available footprint is often a challenge, so determining early whether bike parking will be a standalone installation or integrated within a covered, secure bike storage facility will be informative in terms of determining specific spatial requirements or any potential restrictions on operational height. In high-density developments, these aspects can be particularly challenging, and while there is bike parking designed specifically to maximise available space, prioritising these aspects early in the planning process will help to maximise accessibility for users.
Who will be using it?
- For residential developments, bike parking will typically be long-term and therefore appropriate cover should be seen as a corresponding requirement. Designs should accommodate those with visual or mobility impairments, while considering alternatives to standard bikes, such as those with wide tyres. Providing access to additional amenities such as repair stations is beneficial if the bike parking is part of a larger facility, helping to ensure users can maintain the condition of their bikes before and after a journey.
Where will it be located?
- Any project should aim to provide and install bike parking facilities as close to surrounding buildings as possible to enable easy access for users and unable to cause obstruction, as well offering opportunities for passive oversight. Aim to install within 15 metres of the nearest building or 25 metres if serving multiple buildings. Ensuring that the facility falls on a well-lit access route is integral to aid access, alongside clear signage to provide information and assistance for users.
What level of security is required?
- Bike parking should focus on security outputs as a primary requirement. Separate locking of both the wheels and the frame is key. The facility should ultimately be of a durable build that can withstand damage and potential vandalism. Consider whether the facility should meet Secure by Design certification. Passing Secured by Design Level 2 testing is required for public installations, or Level 1 when located within a secured environment. Providing information on locking systems for users is also advantageous.
Does BREEAM Need to be Considered?
- Transportation is a key factor in BREEAM accreditation, assessing how developments support alternative modes of transportation that help promote sustainable and eco-friendly practice. Bike parking is assessed in context with reference to its location and the intended user profile. With BREEAM V7 currently in development and set for release in 2024, an exploration of the current criteria for BREEAM bike storage compliance can be found here.
What Solutions Are Available?
Bike Parking
- Sheffield Stands: The traditional bike stand, offering a classic, minimalist design that provides quick-access bike parking. A versatile and cost-effective solution for environments that require small to medium capacity bike parking, minimum spacing between individual stands and rows should be considered. Sheffield stands provide separate locking of both the wheels and frame to keep bikes stabilised, with the tubular metal form anchored to the ground at two points in an inverted U-shape with radius corners. Sheffield stands come in 3 distinct fixing formats; rail fixed that reduce the number of ground fixings required to restrict potential trip hazards; base plated that enable ground fixings, and root fixed that are cast in below ground level and are often utilised where a clean surface finish is required.
- Semi-vertical Racks: Comprise a trough-like design that supports both the front and rear wheels in use, semi-vertical racks are often installed to maximise available floor space by offering efficient footprint utilisation for both width and length. Semi-vertical racks require minimal storage depth, enabling bikes to be secured in close proximity to one another. Fixed capacity designs alongside bespoke designs provide the means to meet individual requirements, and, accommodating the diverse range of bike forms available on the modern market, semi-vertical racks enable varying wheelbase bikes to be secured.
- Two-tier Racks: Achieving the maximum quantity of bikes stored per square metre, two-tier racks offer close to double the capacity in the same space. They are ideal for projects where the available footprint is restricted, establishing them as an effective solution for bike parking in high-density environments. Two-tier racks will typically offer an integral gas-assisted lifting system as a standard specification for bikes stored on the upper tier tray, assisting those with mobility restrictions, while integral locking frames enabling varying bike sizes to be stored securely.
- Bike Shelters: Providing a covered bike parking facility, bike shelters are often combined with stands or racks with a single or double row system, while a semi-enclosed design can be supplemented with additional modules to form an enclosed bike shelter compound. However, it’s worth considering that limited options to enhance security beyond this means they are typically more fitting for enclosed sites and short-term parking where quick access for multiple users is a requirement.
Bike Storage
- Bike Modules: Providing individually secure storage that can be highly beneficial for projects with high-security requirements, bike modules can be specified as a fully enclosed design with individual access doors, or open-faced to establish clear lines of sight for user security. Modules are fitted with integral wheel trays and security locking points to ensure bikes are parked and stored in an upright position to remain stable.
- Bike Lockers: Offering a low-profile design that can be specified to coordinate or contrast with elements of the built environment, bike lockers utilise the same integral wheel trays to secure bikes individually in an upright position.
Offering a modular storage system, bike lockers and modules can be specified as a connected series of units to create a larger bike parking facility, while they can additionally be combined with bike hubs to maximise space efficiency and accommodate high-density settings with restricted footprints.
- Bike Stores: A versatile, in-line bike storage system that provides effective footprint utilisation and extensive configuration opportunities to meet specific project requirements, bike stores can be specified as a connected series of units with individual access doors. This approach to design also reduces the required footprint by enclosing only the bike rack space.
- Bike Hubs are designed to accommodate the optimum number of bikes within the available footprint, and are ideal for settings with high foot-traffic to effectively provide long-term secure storage solutions, alongside a variety of options to incorporate practical features that boost functionality and provide users with on-the-go maintenance opportunities.
Bike stores and hubs can easily accommodate single and double-row layouts with stand, semi-vertical or two-tier rack types, combined with a reliable security output attained through a strong manufacturing build to restrict bike theft opportunities. Access control and locking systems are accommodated within a steel door and frame design, with options for Secured by Design specification.
