Bicycle Parking

Introduction

The Prado Group has worked collaboratively with the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition (SFBC) www.sfbike.org to create a template for developing a bike parking plan for development projects. SFBC has reviewed the 2001 Market project and offered guidance that will lead to a more comprehensive bike parking plan and benefit bike owners.

Prado will refer to the following reference material when it establishes its bike parking plan. It will use its best endeavors to address many of the guidelines at 2001 Market, design factors and other limitations may not always make this possible.

A. Bike Parking Plan – Reference Material

1. Goals of the project sponsor
To provide appropriate bicycle parking to meet the needs of (i) residents and their guests, and (ii) Whole Foods customers and employees.

To provide safe, accessible and convenient provision for bicyclists needs and to support and encourage increased levels of bicycling.

To reduce bicycle theft by providing adequate secure parking, in order to encourage people to ride their bicycle to the building.

2. Bicycle Parking
Design
Bicycle racks will be designed so that they:

  • Don’t bend wheels or damage other bicycle parts
  • Accommodate high security U-shaped bike locks
  • Permit the locking of the bicycle frame and one wheel to the rack
  • Support the bicycle in a stable position
  • Don’t obstruct pedestrians (especially when bikes are parked)
  • Are covered where users will leave their bikes for a long time
  • Are easily accessed from the street and protected from motor vehicles
  • Square tubing provides the most effective security protection

3. Standards/dimensions

  • The recommended dimensions ensure that bicycles can be securely locked without undue inconvenience and will be reasonably safeguarded from theft as well as intentional or accidental damage.
  • Bicycle parking spaces should be at least 6 ft long and 2 ft wide, overhead clearance in covered spaces should be at least 7 ft.
  • A 5 ft aisle for bicycle maneuvering should be provided and maintained beside or between each row of bicycle parking.

4. Bicycle parking considerations

  • Bicycle parking should be located in well lit, secure locations within 50 ft of the main entrance to a building, but not further from the entrance than the closest non-disabled automobile parking space; and in no case further than 50 ft from a main entrance where several entrances are involved.
  • The effectiveness of bicycle parking is often determined by location. To reduce theft, a highly visible location with pedestrian traffic is preferable to obscure and dark corners, even if the more visible location is more distant. Because of its smaller size, the bicycle can be parked closer to the rider’s destination than a car.
  • Improving the bicycle parking’s visibility improves bicycle participation.
  • Racks near entrances should be located so there are no conflicts with pedestrians. Curb cuts near the rack location discourage users from riding on the sidewalk to access the racks. However, take care to ensure cars accessing a garage or entrance are not impeded or will cause harm to the bicycle attached to the rack.
  • Consider two types of bicycle parking: short-term for retail customers (up front); and long-term (covered, secure) for employees, which may be placed further away from the main entrance.
  • Separating bicycle from car parking by a physical barrier or sufficient space protects bicycles from damage by cars.
  • Bicycle parking provided in the public right-of-way must allow sufficient passage for pedestrians or wheelchair users (6 feet).
  • Bicycle parking may be provided within the public right-of-way in areas without building setbacks, subject to approval of local officials and provided it meets the other requirements for bicycle parking.
  • Simple racks placed along the sidewalks serve bicyclists riding to various locations along a commercial street. They should be placed in the furniture or the frontage zone, so they do not interfere with pedestrians. Smaller bicycle parking areas are preferable to one large centralized area both for convenience in access and greater security.

5. On-street bicycle parking
Where there is insufficient room on the sidewalks to provide sufficient bicycle parking without cluttering the pedestrian zone, bicycle parking can be provided in the street. One parallel car parking spot can provide parking for up to 12 bicycles. It may be buffered by bollards, curb extensions or other forms of positive protection.

Bicycle parking may also be provided inside a building in secure and accessible locations. This provides a high degree of security and protection, at the expense of some convenience. Dedicated rooms with card locks are very effective, and a deposit is not out of the ordinary. Locating a room close to changing and showering facilities enhances its attractiveness. Number combination locks are not recommended, as an unauthorized person can easily obtain the code.

6. Number of Spaces
The amount, location and usage of bicycle parking should be monitored and adjusted to ensure that there is an adequate supply. If bicycle use increases, the need for bicycle parking may increase above that specified when facilities are constructed.

7. Signage
Directional signs are needed to guide cyclists if the bicycle parking locations are not visible from building entrances or transit stops.

It’s better not to use signage for the long-term employee parking within the building, so to avoid bringing bicycles to the attention of potential thieves.

8. Warning/Alarm Security System
If bikes use a car ramp to enter a garage then the following security approaches can act as deterrents include:

  • key fobs
  • video surveillance at the entry/exit points as well as internal garage spaces
  • signage
  • auto door closure and warning/alarm systems
  • video camera and/or audible alarm

B. 2001 Market Project – Bike Parking Plan Design Elements
Secure bicycle parking will be provided at the 2001 Market building both internally and externally.

(i) Whole Foods Market employee bike parking requirements will be considered in the design process following review with Whole Foods management.

(ii) Whole Foods Market customer bike parking: Prado will attempt to provide dedicated bike storage and offer as many bike spaces as the design of the garage areas will allow:

  • Internal garage spaces in the building and;
  • External to the building along Market and Dolores sidewalk’s Prado’s landscape architect, April Philips Design Works (APDW) will attempt to provide the maximum flexibility in the external bike rack design for the commercial area. Provision will be made to add additional bike racks if there are higher demands for bike parking.

(iii) Residential Garage – Bike Storage areas will be provided and will feature security elements including: lockable space, surveillance camera, etc.

Resources:

The Prado Group wishes to express its gratitude to the following staff at SFBC who provided valuable input in the formulation of this document.

  • Andy Thornley, Program Director
  • Marc Caswell, Program Manager
© 2009 The Prado Group. All Rights Reserved