Riders who frequently ride their bicycle for work or pleasure occasionally leave their vehicle on the street.
Bicycle parking has been designed so that the cyclist can leave his bicycle in a designated place.
In Europe, bicycle parking is quite common, on one street you can find several parking lots for two-wheeled vehicles.
Most of the residents of large cities are gradually moving to the bike, due to high traffic congestion. The installation of the park is engaged in supermarkets, various shopping centers, schools and universities, and other organizations.
What types of bicycle parking are
Parking refers to a design that can accommodate a certain number of bicycles. Compartmentalized parking structures are considered the most popular.
A compartmentalized parking structure implies a one-piece construction. The wheels of the bike are placed between the cross tubes, and then there is a bicycle lock. Depending on the model, the size of the compartments differs. Road and road-type bicycles are usually placed in narrow compartments. MTBs with wider tires can be placed in a larger compartment.
The compartment structure itself weighs quite a lot, and it is impossible for a thief to take it away without a special vehicle. Installers often fix the parking lot to the wall or asphalt for greater security.
The advantage of compartment parking is in its compactness, depending on the width can accommodate up to 15 bicycles. The disadvantages include the inconvenience of fixing the bike, its unsteadiness in the absence of the footrest.
The second type – the turnstile, involve pipes, shaped like the letter U. The rider is required to lean the bike with the frame. This type of bike parking is considered the safest.
The pluses of tourney parking include the convenience of mounting, but more work will need to be done to secure the bike. Full-size “turnstiles” are just beginning to appear in Russia and are still rare.
Non-standard solutions
Standard bicycle parking lots seem boring to some, and also not in all cases the parking fits into the urban architecture. Designers have developed many forms for parking that have already begun to be used.
For example, the Ferris wheel, is a suspended parking lot, which immediately attracts the eye. The disadvantages should include a small capacity – a maximum of 6 bikes. If free space is left upstairs, you need to turn the wheel and suspend the bicycle. Such parking lots are more often installed for the employees of the organization.
Bump implies a road ledge, in the middle of which there is a slot for the wheels. The depth is deep enough for a stable position of the bicycle. However, this type is used only in enclosed areas, as there is no place to strap the bike. Bump is the original, but unsafe bicycle parking.
Another variety is the fruit. Implies a heavy structure with a large capacity. Bicycles are mounted around the structure. It is possible to fasten both to the wheel and to the frame. The compartments have different widths.
Comb is one of the modernization of the classic compartment bike parking. It is designed for bicycles with large dimensions. The rider can strap the bike by the frame.
Bicycle guards – this parking is made in the form of a bicycle. In Russia, they are actively promoted by the company “Beeline”. There are also indoor bicycle parking lots or a kind of mini garages. Thus it will be possible to hide two-wheeled vehicle from rain, as well as hide the bike from prying eyes.
Bicycle parking with their own hands
In rural conditions, it is rare to install a bicycle parking lot. Most come up with their own ways. Also, some riders install a personal parking lot in the yard so they don’t have to store their bikes at home. There are several ways to install a bike parking lot yourself.
- Implies boiling a structure with multiple compartments.
- An alternative option is to use car tires.
- One of the most practical options is to dig in a so called stile.
When welding a metal construction will require great accuracy, so that the base does not turn out skewed. To protect the metal, it is recommended to treat it with an anti-corrosion composition. It is recommended not to economize on the length of each compartment. It is desirable that the bike can fit both wheels.
A budget option to create a bike park, if there are unsuitable for riding car tires – you need to cut them in the middle, the two halves are fastened with a piece of wood on one side. The resulting structure can be attached either to a wall or to a solid base on the ground. Another technique is to dig the tire into the ground and pour the cover on top with concrete.
Another type of homemade bicycle parking is to install a U-shaped structure in the ground. You will need to dig two trenches, where the tube is placed. For a rigid fixation, it is recommended to fill the recesses with concrete.
What is good bicycle parking
Good parking should meet several criteria. The bike should be stable on a horizontal area, no slumping. The wheels should make contact with the pavement.
It is recommended to avoid parking lots that involve mounting on one wheel. In the case of a fall of the bike is possible eversion of the rim, the formation of a figure of eight.
Also, when designing parking is required to consider the width of the wheels, their size has a wide range, from 2.3 centimeters to 8 centimeters. Parking for one width may not fit a different type of bike.
Also, bike parking should allow the bike to be secured by the frame and both wheels.
If the cyclist only secures the vehicle by the wheel, the thief can easily remove it and take the rest of the bike.
The U-shaped design is the optimal variant of standard bicycle parking. It is characterized by low monetary cost, ease of installation, organic with the street. One post allows you to park two bikes. The shape gives the opportunity to use U-shaped locks, which are known for their reliability.
The quality and monetary value of bike parking depends on the material from which it was made. The best option is stainless steel. The material lasts a long time and blends in seamlessly with its surroundings.
Parking lots that are made of metal and coated with a layer of polymers, will cost 2 times cheaper. However, the coating should be applied to galvanized metal. It is not recommended to use rebar or rolled metal to create bicycle parking lots. Gradually such a structure will lose its shape.
You should determine the right place to install the parking lot; it should not interfere with pedestrian traffic. It is also advisable to install the parking lot in a place where most cyclists will notice it. You should think about rain protection, such as parking under the roof of a building or a covered parking space.
Another quality of a good bicycle parking lot is visibility. The location of the parking lot should be visible from inside the building as well as from the outside. It is highly discouraged near garbage cans or away from the flow of people, which makes it a good environment for thieves or vandals.
The parking lot should be securely fastened, resisting bolt cutters, tire iron and other such objects. To increase the security of the parking lot, it is recommended to place it in the sight of security guards and surveillance cameras. It is desirable that the parking lot be illuminated at night.
One option is to use the courtyard of the premises. The most prestigious parking lots are roofed, with limited access. Any cyclist who enters or exits is recorded on the server.
It is advisable to think creatively when creating a parking lot. Preferably, the design should emphasize the direction of your business.