Secure Bike Parking Is Needed for Cycling Growth
Lack of secure bike racks or other bike parking options at desirable destinations is the prime reason people don't ride their bicycles more, according to "Bicycle Parking Guidelines, 2nd Edition (2010)" from the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals. Consumers voiced this same top drawback in studies for the first edition in 2002. Along with that, bike riders say they need bike parking at desirable destinations, including work, shopping and leisure.
The ever-growing ranks of bicyclists will pedal to more places, and the number if cyclists will grow even faster if businesses and other public places increase secure bike parking. A number of studies document growth in bike riding;
- Bike riders increased 53 percent in San Francisco between 2006 and 2009 according to the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition
- The city of Sacramento, California, saw the number of people who commute to work on bicycles, the most committed cyclists, more than double from 2000 to 2008.
Bike theft is a major worldwide problem, so secure bicycle rack and other bike parking is essential.
At a conservative estimate, 1.5 million bikes may be stolen in the United States each year according to the National Bike Registry. Studies in the United Kingdom, with more reliable figures, found that 440,000 bicycles are being stolen annually, and a Canadian insurance compilation found 100,000 bikes are being stolen
annually.
Police departments in virtually every city and on every university campus offer eight primary bike security parking tips to prevent bicycle theft:
1 - bike rack or bicycle-parking bollard is highly recommended; bike theft rates, and the likelihood of resulting vandalism to the structure, are much higher when using improvised bike parking such as fences, gates, parking meters, light poles or other structures.
2 - Well-made bike lockers are a new top choice, since the interior contents are not easily visible to potential thieves.
3 - For open parking, bike racks or bicycle bollards should allow for three locks, one for each wheel plus a third for the frame.
4 - Avoid situations where a lock or chain could slip to the ground, and be smashed, or a bike could be lifted off, such as over the head of a parking meter or by removing a sign from a signpost.
5 - Ensure that bike racks or bollards are securely fastened into the ground, ideally with footings embedded into cement.
6 - Bicycle storage should be in a visible, well-lit area near a busy entrance or as close as possible to the entrance or attendant booth in parking garages to keep eyes on parked bikes; most thieves won't risk being seen attacking a bike lock in front of someone who may dial 911.
7 - Because bicycles are often stolen from owners residences, police and security experts advise storing bicycles inside the owners dwelling. If that is not possible, they strongly recommend bike lockers, bike racks or bicycle bollards being located inside garages or inside a condo, apartment or college dormitory building.
8 - At the very least, cyclists should lock the bike to a fixed, immovable object; one that cannot easily be cut, broken or removed.
With a vast supply of commercial bicycle storage systems available, buyers can be discerning with their product selections. As site furnishings, bike racks, bike bollards and bike lockers will need to stand the test of time.
- Buyers should look for products that are manufactured using quality materials; they need to be strong, durable, weather resistant, and best of all, recyclable.
- Where galvanized or stainless steel bike parking products are available, buyers should choose those first to help reduce future maintenance.
- Where galvanized or stainless steel bike parking products are not selected, buyers should carefully check manufacturers surface warranties. Metal bike racks, bike bollards and bike lockers need to be carefully powder coated, and should carry a warranty specifically for the product coating
- As bike parking products can be expensive to purchase and install, ensure that a sound and secure installation is provided to avoid theft or premature failure of the bike rack, bike bollard or bike locker mounting.
The ever-growing ranks of bicyclists will pedal to more places, and the number if cyclists will grow even faster if businesses and other public places increase secure bike parking. A number of studies document growth in bike riding;
- Bike riders increased 53 percent in San Francisco between 2006 and 2009 according to the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition
- The city of Sacramento, California, saw the number of people who commute to work on bicycles, the most committed cyclists, more than double from 2000 to 2008.
Bike theft is a major worldwide problem, so secure bicycle rack and other bike parking is essential.
At a conservative estimate, 1.5 million bikes may be stolen in the United States each year according to the National Bike Registry. Studies in the United Kingdom, with more reliable figures, found that 440,000 bicycles are being stolen annually, and a Canadian insurance compilation found 100,000 bikes are being stolen
annually.
Police departments in virtually every city and on every university campus offer eight primary bike security parking tips to prevent bicycle theft:
1 - bike rack or bicycle-parking bollard is highly recommended; bike theft rates, and the likelihood of resulting vandalism to the structure, are much higher when using improvised bike parking such as fences, gates, parking meters, light poles or other structures.
2 - Well-made bike lockers are a new top choice, since the interior contents are not easily visible to potential thieves.
3 - For open parking, bike racks or bicycle bollards should allow for three locks, one for each wheel plus a third for the frame.
4 - Avoid situations where a lock or chain could slip to the ground, and be smashed, or a bike could be lifted off, such as over the head of a parking meter or by removing a sign from a signpost.
5 - Ensure that bike racks or bollards are securely fastened into the ground, ideally with footings embedded into cement.
6 - Bicycle storage should be in a visible, well-lit area near a busy entrance or as close as possible to the entrance or attendant booth in parking garages to keep eyes on parked bikes; most thieves won't risk being seen attacking a bike lock in front of someone who may dial 911.
7 - Because bicycles are often stolen from owners residences, police and security experts advise storing bicycles inside the owners dwelling. If that is not possible, they strongly recommend bike lockers, bike racks or bicycle bollards being located inside garages or inside a condo, apartment or college dormitory building.
8 - At the very least, cyclists should lock the bike to a fixed, immovable object; one that cannot easily be cut, broken or removed.
With a vast supply of commercial bicycle storage systems available, buyers can be discerning with their product selections. As site furnishings, bike racks, bike bollards and bike lockers will need to stand the test of time.
- Buyers should look for products that are manufactured using quality materials; they need to be strong, durable, weather resistant, and best of all, recyclable.
- Where galvanized or stainless steel bike parking products are available, buyers should choose those first to help reduce future maintenance.
- Where galvanized or stainless steel bike parking products are not selected, buyers should carefully check manufacturers surface warranties. Metal bike racks, bike bollards and bike lockers need to be carefully powder coated, and should carry a warranty specifically for the product coating
- As bike parking products can be expensive to purchase and install, ensure that a sound and secure installation is provided to avoid theft or premature failure of the bike rack, bike bollard or bike locker mounting.
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