hoppydc

Hello everyone, I'm wondering if anyone with experience or knowledge in this area can tell me approximately what it would cost to install a secure cage for bikes in a parking garage? I've searched the Internet but can't find anything.

I'm asking because I'd like to lobby my office building to install one for people like me who bike to work. Currently we don't even have a bike rack; we just lean our bikes against stair railings and lock them there.

It would be nice to have a dedicated, secured cage with a key card lock that only authorized people could enter (i.e. you'd need to sign up to activate your key card), to keep our bikes safer. I'd still want a bike rack in there, and I'd still lock my bike to it, but I probably wouldn't bother to remove my lights, seat, etc., every day knowing that only a handful of other people, all my own colleagues, would be able to enter the cage. Similar to this:

https://www.sfbike.org/download/resou...Parking_sm.pdf

As part of the case I will make to the building, I'd like to have an idea of what something like the above would cost to buy the materials and labor to put it together.

What would be needed is:

Chain link fence and poles for a 10' x 15' (?) cage
Door
Secure key-card lock for the door
Bike rack for up to 6 to 8 bikes

FWIW, our garage has a surplus of spots so I don't think our cage would take away from precious space needed for cars.

As an alternate, I've seen quotes for bike lockers that run around $600 per bike. Is that more cost effective?

Thanks everyone and Merry Christmas.

no1mad 

I'd lobby for a bike rack. You might get that if you're not in a cycling friendly community.

scroca

Why don't you contact that sfbike.org bunch. They might be able to steer you toward some resources.

fietsbob

In Eugene , outdoors, under a roof overhang, Poles and chain link fencing, formed individual lock-up places
triangular 'lockers' to hang your bike in , upright.. Lane Community College Downtown building.. IDK
cost.


SOP: Bid the job out, get the Bids of Various Contractors, decide amongst them.

FanaticMN

I think the least expensive approach would be to check out modular fencing intended for dog kennels. Six feet high is a standard size, but you can find taller ones. You should be able to do the whole cage with a gate for less than $1000. Add a couple panels every time you need it to get bigger. By far the biggest expense is likely to be the key card access--would a padlock do?

MNBikeguy

I'd get a quote from a fence installer. Cost should be minimal for a few sections in a parking garage. See if they can provide a discount if they put their name on the chain link sections. (free advertising.) Key card entry is a bit extravagant.

dscheidt

Not if you're already using the key cards. If that's the case the cost is just the card reader and any required wiring. A commercial installation is going to want a good quality lock, which generally just need a different strike plate to work with electronic unlocking. And it's a lot less adminstrative hassle to deal with than a lock operated by keys.

MNBikeguy

Interesting. Sounds like you have experience with this. So if employees already have key cards, you just program the new reader for them which is less expensive? How does the cost of a reader compare with the cost of a decent key lock system? I can sure see the administrative advantage of not having to mess with keys.

no motor?

https://chicagocooperator.com/article...und/Page1.html This doesn't directly address your question, but it may give you some more resources to help obtain more storage.

dscheidt

Most 'key card' (which includes things like RFID fobs as well as more exotic biometrics,etc) work with a fairly standard lockset using an electric strikeplate (the same sort of thing apartment front door buzzers use). Swipe your card, and the strike releases, allowing the door to be opened. (It can also do secondary things, like log the access, disable any alarm, turn on lights, call you an elevator, etc). The parts required are the card reader, the strike, and wiring to the reader and the strike. (There are some that are wireless and battery operated, so don't require that, but do require battery changes.) Cost is a couple hundred bucks a door, including installation. Installation can be a lot higher, if you have to do extensive expensive wiring.