Guest Blog: Bike Racks and their Impact on Urban Spaces

The subject of bike parking in urban spaces is an integral part of the broader topic of how cycling culture fits into the fabric of a city. It's a two-way street when it comes to how cycling culture affects and influences the design of urban spaces and how design - in this case, bike parking solutions - impacts a city's cycling culture. 

Effective bike parking design is essential for accommodating the needs of the growing number of cyclists in Metro Vancouver. It can be incredibly frustrating when you pull up to a store ready to fill your panniers with groceries, your favourite craft beer, or any other items on your errand list, and there are no bike racks. Or the racks are at the other end of the block or parking lot. So you lock your bike to the nearest pole only to return to see it lying collapsed on the asphalt.

Habitat Systems is a local company specializing in creating inclusive, practical outdoor spaces for communities in Western Canada. In partnership with Dero, a company of self-professed bike parking nerds, Habitat has been leading the way in providing superior bike parking solutions since 2007. The number of requests for bike room designs has risen dramatically in the last few years and it's been great to see that these now include spaces that accommodate larger cargo bikes, charging options for e-bikes, and bikes with fat tires. Dero, renowned for its innovative rack and bike room designs, offers a free service that helps planners avoid common pitfalls when designing bike rooms. 

Common Pitfalls in Bike Room Layouts

1. Miscalculating Aisle Space: Ensure a minimum aisle space of 3 feet from bike to bike. Dero's downloadable CAD files include all necessary spacing requirements, preventing bike-to-bike conflicts.
2. Unrealistic Parking Design: Cyclists typically do not reverse their bikes into racks. Dero's CAD drawings show how bikes are usually parked, enhancing usability.
3. Misjudging Bike Size: Accurate bike sizing in layout drawings is crucial to avoid spacing issues. 

Tips for Effective Bike Room Design

1. Aisle Space and Bike Positioning: Design bike rooms with ample aisle space and consider how cyclists naturally park their bikes, akin to how cars park in stalls.
2. Access and Obstructions: Assess door placements and potential obstructions like columns and overhead pipes to ensure end-users have easy access to secure their bikes.
3. Floor-Mounted Racks: Use floor-mounted racks, like a row of Dero's Ultra Space Saver Squared, instead of dividing a room with middle walls. This allows for better visibility in the room.
4. Security Considerations: Install security cameras and good lighting in bike rooms to enhance safety and deter theft.
5. Location, location: Bike rooms should be easily accessible in the building. You don't want it tucked away in a far corner on the lowest level down a long hallway.

Bike advocacy efforts promoting cycling culture and enhancing urban spaces are key to ensuring that our cities continue to become more bike-friendly and sustainable. In Vancouver, a private business can request a bike rack through the City of Vancouver to be installed outside their establishment. Secure bike parking rooms and lockers at transit hubs mean peace of mind to cyclists and increased public transit ridership. It feels like a good time to put our feet on the pedals and ride.

Guest Blog by Habitat Systems

For more information, visit www.habitat-systems.com or call 1 (866) 422-2828.