Providing a dedicated place for employees and customers to secure their cycles is a great way of encouraging more sustainable transport behaviours – people are much more likely to cycle to your site if they know that there is a place for them to lock their bikes up. So, the first step is deciding to install a cycle parking area, but the vital second step is to make sure you find the right type of parking. Here is our guide to help you out.
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Single wheel racks
Single wheel bike racks provide a space for one wheel of the cycle to be locked up. You can find single wheel racks in a range of different variations – from wall-mounted models that are bolted to an available vertical surface and hold the front or back wheel in place, to the more common floor-mounted version that is installed into the floor.
Because these racks only let cyclists secure one wheel, they are not as good at deterring theft as larger units – the thief can simply disconnect the wheel in a lot of cases and steal the frame, other wheel, saddle and handlebars from the bike. There can also be issues with keeping the bike stable – a row of cycles all secured by the front wheel can sometimes topple over, causing the secured wheel to become mis-shapen and unusable. However, these racks are particularly useful for areas where space is at a premium, and they are also good if you have low cycle traffic, the bikes are at low risk of theft and you want your parking rack to look smart.
Cycle frame racks
Larger cycle racks allow the cyclist to secure the frame of the bike, as well as one or two wheels as required. These are typically floor-mounted and take the form of either the ‘Sheffield rack’, which consists of two vertical posts connected by a horizontal bar, or the tab/hoop type – a vertical stanchion holding a circular or oval frame. In both cases, these racks let the cyclist lean the body of the bike up against the parking rack (reducing the chance of it toppling over) and then they can either use a chain and padlock or another type of bike lock to secure it in place.
These racks are typically more secure than the single-wheel models (although of course it depends on how the user chooses to lock their bike up) and are used in busier cycle areas – these are the type that you will find in the high street, for example.
Shelters
For the really committed, a full cycle shelter is the way to go. With a shelter, you get the benefit of a centralised spot for people to lock their bikes up with the added benefits of protecting equipment from rain, snow and wind. You can also add lighting to make cyclists feel safer when they use the shelter, and to add more security. There are shelters available that incorporate either of the two main types of parking rack, and with different levels of coverage in terms of weather protection, so make sure that you get the right shelter for your site.