Bike racks and Bike stands: What makes a good bike rack or stand?

Bike racks play a vital role in encouraging bike riding to school or to venues such as the train station or work place. Bike riders face the same issues as car drivers, if there is poor or insufficient parking for their vehicle or bike, they will use a different mode of transport. We consider what factors make  a good bike rack and how to encourage the introduction of bike racks at organisations.

Features of bike racks

There a variety of different styles of bike racks, from bike hoops to bike stands, to single bike racks to multiple bay bike stands. Whatever the style, there are a number of key attributes that are required to make a good bike rack

Durable – bike racks should be built to last! Out in all weather conditions, bike racks must be made from materials that won’t rust or deteriorate under the elements.

Sturdy – with bikes getting slammed up against them each day, racks needs to be strong and substantial. They must be resistant to vandalism such as cutting or deformation that would give unwanted visitors access to bikes.

Made for the job – to keep a bike upright, bike racks, stands or hoops should offer adequate support so the bike easily is kept in position and prevents the bike from falling and getting damaged or scratched.

Lockable – all bike racks should be made to so that bikes can easily be locked using a u-lock or other types of secure bike chains.

Anchored – bike racks need to be firmly anchored to the ground. This can be through bolt down or in-ground options

Adequate provision – there should be sufficient numbers of bike racks to meet the numbers of bike riders. This means bike racks and stands should fit together well to allow maximum numbers of bicycles to use the back racks. But there should be enough distance between racks so the safety and security of the bicycles are not compromised.

Encouraging the introduction of bike racks

Bike racks may seem like an unnecessary or extra incidental cost for schools, offices or venues. However they play a vital role in supporting different modes of transport and accessibility. For kids who have no other means of getting from one place to another, a bike can be the difference between attendance and not. Having somewhere to leave your bike that is accessible, safe and secure is a key part in the equation. For workers that prefer or need to use an alternative form of transport to train stations, office buildings or places of work, having suitable bike racks supports and enables their needs.

Local governments can play a big role in encouraging the use of bikes in their constituencies through their policies towards stipulating bike lanes, building bike-friendly communities, supporting ride-to-school and ride-to-work initiatives. Providing suitable bike parking constitutes a substantial part in such planning and policy-making.

If you are looking at ways to fund bike racks at your venue there are a number of infrastructure grants that are available at different points in the year for schools, communities, clubs and venues that may be applicable. View our grants page to see what grants are currently open.

If you are interested in bike racks or stands for your organisation, take a look through our range of hoop rails, multiple bay bike racks, scooter racks and more and give our team a call if you have any questions or would like any advice.