Commuting - What is the best bike parking rack design?

We have just moved to a new office location that is now close enough to commute by bicycle. The office environment is not such as to accommodate bringing a bicycle inside. However, there is a small covered parking area that I may be able to talk management into installing a bike parking rack. I have seen various designs of such racks and was interested in what designs are easier to use, provide best security, minimize damage to bike/accesories, etc.

Thanks

I like these. They're stable, offer a lot of area to lock to (for different frame types/sizes), and they're secure as heck if they're the ones which are laid right into the concrete instead of just bolted down to it.
http://www.library.drexel.edu/blogs/thesuggestionbox/Bike%20Rack%202.JPG

The Sheffield Rack made of stainless steel tubing is hard to beat so long as the spacing meets accepted standards.
The plastic coated ones eventually crack and split and the zinc galvanised ones look horrible and have a surface rough enough to scratch paintwork.
This example is located too close to the wall, a common mistake.
http://www.cyclefriendlyemployers.org.uk/img/cycle_parking-sheffield_stand.jpg
Other mistakes include placing the stand right next to a lamnp post, or sufficient space for 2 bikes but not enough for an additional person, placing th horizontal too high or low, or replacing the horizontal section with an "attractive" but less useful curve.
You can buy sets of racks welded with the correct spacing.

I like the ones with multiple points to support the frame because I'm usually carrying a ton of stuff.

http://home.swbell.net/mpion/BIKEparking.html

+1

sheffield stand in stainless or painted steel

http://www.societies.cam.ac.uk/cuecs/UpTo2003/bikeParking/bike_rep_files/image004.gif

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/tpm/tal/cyclefacilities/keyelementsofcycleparkingpro4085?page=2

http://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&safe=off&q=sheffield+stand+standards

The thrid one down, it has a built in pump:

http://weekendcycling.com/2007/01/interesting-bike-racks/

The best ones are the simplest ones - the upside-down steel U, for example.

I like these. They're stable, offer a lot of area to lock to (for different frame types/sizes), and they're secure as heck if they're the ones which are laid right into the concrete instead of just bolted down to it.
http://www.library.drexel.edu/blogs/thesuggestionbox/Bike%20Rack%202.JPG

I second your motion.

This is the one I like best. You can get 4 bikes locked to each of the racks (the set up in the picture will hold 8 bikes).
http://www.dero.com/bike_bike.html

I believe that the London Cycling Campaign actually has a best practice document for installation of bike racks in commercial/industrial spaces. Obviously some of the references will be UK standards but I'd imagine most of it is just as good for over here.

A DERO Bike Hitch works well (www.dero.com).
It is the post type with a large ring.
They are inexpensive ($125), easy for your company to install, don't take up much space and look different- all elements that may help entice an employer to install a couple.
The City of Toronto has a number of this style of rack installed in a lot of locations.

This design works well here in the Windy City.

http://www.citynoise.org/upload/18406.jpg

We have just moved to a new office location that is now close enough to commute by bicycle. The office environment is not such as to accommodate bringing a bicycle inside. However, there is a small covered parking area that I may be able to talk management into installing a bike parking rack. I have seen various designs of such racks and was interested in what designs are easier to use, provide best security, minimize damage to bike/accesories, etc.

Thanks


I was put in charge with finding a bike rack for our company. I did a lot of research and found the style that CliftonGK1 posted was the best.

Everyone,
Thanks for all of your responses. Hopefully, I will find a receptive audience.

I lke the traditional schoolyard rack.

Paul

The only type absolutely not to get is the "wheelbender" rack - google for images if you don't know what I mean. http://www.vtpi.org/tdm/tdm85.htm might be useful too.

I second your motion.

3rd-ed.

I have seen various designs of such racks and was interested in what designs are easier to use, provide best security, minimize damage to bike/accesories, etc.

Thanks

The Bike Rack by itself provides minimal security for your bicycle. In other words, the safty of your bike will be determine by those who use it or walk past. If those cyclists want to damage your bike and steal your accesories, there's not much you can do for the bike rack cannot provide any protection. If someone who uses your bike rack likes your ride, it could take about 5 minutes with power tools to break your U-Lock or chain. Use at your own risk.

I like these. They're stable, offer a lot of area to lock to (for different frame types/sizes), and they're secure as heck if they're the ones which are laid right into the concrete instead of just bolted down to it.
http://www.library.drexel.edu/blogs/thesuggestionbox/Bike%20Rack%202.JPG
We call these "ribbon racks" in Portland. They're my favorite, as the part closest to the ground is perfect for locking my U-frame.


sheffield stand in stainless or painted steel

http://www.societies.cam.ac.uk/cuecs/UpTo2003/bikeParking/bike_rep_files/image004.gif
We call these "staple racks". They are also a fine choice.

Personally, I think these are the best 2 designs.

Wow, what timing. I was looking at racks last night for the same purpose. Hopefully I can persuade my company to install a rack. Since I began bike commuting again, two others have also begun cycling to work. Maybe if there was a decent place to lock up our bikes, more might ride. At this point, I am taking advantage of the best place to lock up a bike and the other two have been leaving their bikes unlocked behind a wall outside.

I inquired about bike parking when I interviewed for the job and was told that they didn't allow bikes in the building. Yes, I took the job anyway. ;) The company uses reserved parking spaces to reward workers for attendance and years of service. My goal is to get one of those reserved parking spaces and lock my bike up to the sign with my name on it. To top that, I would love to make someone move their car from my space if they parked there without authorization.

:)

When in UPS our student union building had some of the most secure racks I have used. Imagine a clam style rack. Open it, place your bike an close it...1 prong through each wheel and another through the main triangle. A pad lock locked the clam together via the center prong. The lock was shielded by a mesh to deter bolt cutters. Doesn't work for all frame styles, but it was solid.

I like these. They're stable, offer a lot of area to lock to (for different frame types/sizes), and they're secure as heck if they're the ones which are laid right into the concrete instead of just bolted down to it.
http://www.library.drexel.edu/blogs/thesuggestionbox/Bike%20Rack%202.JPG
Although I've certainly seen worse racks out there, I'm not a big fan of this type. If you park the bike in the intended direction, it's only supported on one point and likely to fall. You can park the bike the other way, but then you become a "rack hog".

There are some bicycle parking guidelines here: http://www.apbp.org/pdfsanddocs/Resources/Bicycle%20Parking%20Guidelines.pdf

I like these. T
http://www.library.drexel.edu/blogs/thesuggestionbox/Bike%20Rack%202.JPG

That's actually my least favorite, whenever the space is available I tens to lock parallel to the rack for good support. My workplace recently installed some of these: http://www.ameribike.com/catalog/racks/standard-innov/innovative/space-saver/space-saver.html

The hanging design is nice, but not optimal for bikes with fenders.

The rack below has been designed not to be a "wheel-bender" and fit more bikes in a smaller space (using a vertical stagger). The rack offers a locking bar for each bike slot that allows a U-Style lock to lock the frame and the front wheel, and allows each slot to be used without tangling handlebars with the bike next to it. The rack was designed even down to the hardware not to corrode.
131479131478

Inverted U's are my favorite, such as those Denver has everywhere.

These:
http://www.denvergov.org/Portals/482/images/PW_bike_inverted_u.jpg

I like these. They're stable, offer a lot of area to lock to (for different frame types/sizes), and they're secure as heck if they're the ones which are laid right into the concrete instead of just bolted down to it.
http://www.library.drexel.edu/blogs/thesuggestionbox/Bike%20Rack%202.JPG

+1 on these. We moved to a new office park about a year ago and they tolerated us bringing bikes inside for a while, then banished us outside to a real crappy bike rack. We put together our lobbying power and they broke down and not only bought us one of these, but mounted it inside our building. It sure is nice to be able to commute both ways starting on a bike that's not frozen.

This design works well here in the Windy City.


I used to live 3 blocks from there.

I like these. They're stable, offer a lot of area to lock to (for different frame types/sizes), and they're secure as heck if they're the ones which are laid right into the concrete instead of just bolted down to it.
http://www.library.drexel.edu/blogs/thesuggestionbox/Bike%20Rack%202.JPG

Got a number of them around campus where I work. They work well. Even just bolted to the concrete I figure they're pretty darn secure for the day. Are there really that many bike thieves carrying around power wrenches to remove the bolts?

No rack provides reasonable security because all the parts can still be quickly stripped off your bike. Lockers are the only way to go, and I'm happy to pay to use them.

This? (http://www.fahrradstaender.net/Schraeghoch_Fahrradparker_Schraeghochparker_Florenz_zweiseitig_wahlweise_mit_Satteldach_zur_freien_A ufstellung-61188-697502.html#)

I like these. They're stable, offer a lot of area to lock to (for different frame types/sizes), and they're secure as heck if they're the ones which are laid right into the concrete instead of just bolted down to it.
http://www.library.drexel.edu/blogs/thesuggestionbox/Bike%20Rack%202.JPG

Does that thing come with directions? :p

What about some of these David Byrne bike racks

http://www.davidbyrne.com/art/bike_racks/views/bikerackumentary_thumb.jpg

http://www.davidbyrne.com/art/bike_racks/images/photo_thumb_The-Villager.jpg

http://www.davidbyrne.com/art/bike_racks/images/chalked_shadows_thumb.jpg

more at... http://www.davidbyrne.com/art/bike_racks/index.php



David Byrne and the New York City Department of Transportation, in conjunction with New York art gallery PaceWildenstein, have unveiled nine unique bicycle racks designed by DB and installed in various locations throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. An avid bicyclist for almost 30 years, Byrne was invited to join the panel of jurors selected by the DOT to judge a design competition for outdoor and indoor bicycle racks. Inspired by the city's initiative, he submitted some original design ideas of his own named after specific locations and neighborhoods, which the DOT enthusiastically agreed to install for a period of 364 days.

I like these. They're stable, offer a lot of area to lock to (for different frame types/sizes), and they're secure as heck if they're the ones which are laid right into the concrete instead of just bolted down to it.
http://www.library.drexel.edu/blogs/thesuggestionbox/Bike%20Rack%202.JPG
I don't like those much. Doesn't make it easy to stabilize your bike or provide it something to rest against. Also, the ones I always find have the U part already used, leaving me to try and shove my bicycle underneath the the upside down U part.

I'm lucky to live somewhere with a wide assortment of bike racks, and I can safely say these (http://www.creativemetalworksllc.com/Pages/production_racks_divs.html)
132006
are the best. Hands down. I have yet to see a style of frame that can't effectively U-lock to. They support your bike very well (think 30 pounds of groceries on my porteur rack well) and provide a lot of security. My one complaint is the U-lock goes to the front wheel, instead of the rear, but that can easily be solved by a cable, if you are so inclined.

The best thing about this style of bike rack is it's hard to miss-use. We've all seen one person parking parallel to a ribbon rack, taking up the whole thing, locked with only a cheap cable. I've never met someone so daft as to misunderstand how these work.

If possible, see if you can get some bike lockers installed - they provide the greatest security to your bike. The inverted 'U' designs are good, but are often installed too close to the building or a wall - to be most effective I like to lock my bike with a cable through the front wheel and frame to the rack, as well as a U lock through the rear wheel and the frame - to do this requires that the rack be close to the center of the bike, and if the 'U' is installed 24" from a wall - this won't happen.

Bike locker, absolutely. A rack doesn't provide any security for your accessories. Stripping and re-attaching, then re-adjusting, accessories and the quick-relase wheels and seat post sucks, especially when it's cold or rainy. Getting them stolen sucks even more. I'm sure if any car-driving employee came out at the end of the day to find their car stipped down and the wheels gone, they'd be a little ticked about security, to say the last.

We have a tall chain link enclosure where I work, right up against the side of the buiilding, and it's fantastic. I can't imagine it would cost much more to install than racks, either. It might even cost less, since the materials are commonplace, rather than specialty. I wouldn't leave my bike overnight, but I have no problem just rolling it in and leaving it unlocked and fully decked out when I arrive (the enclosure has a door that can't be left unlocked, accessed by a button-press combination). It's about the size of 2 parking spots, and has room for about 20 bikes. It's also watched over by a camera, although that isn't as obvious as I'd like. It's so popular that my workplace had to add additional parking for the overflow. About 15% of our workers commute by bike in summer. We also have showers and a locker room inside the building.

Is there any sort of 'best places to work' recognition program in your community? Getting mentioned by that for being bike-friendly might be some incentive for your employer to invest a little more in your bike parking needs. Also mention that bike parking costs a lot less than car parking, if they subsidize free car parking to the employees.

My building has the BR-2 shown here:
http://www.fsindustries.com/more_info/concrete_bike_rack/concrete_bike_rake.shtml

I have used them now for 4 years without any issues. I use a cable, but a u-lock should work around the chainstays as well.