Bicycle Parking Parking is an essen al feature to the accessibility of all land use types. Just like parking a car, people need a safe, secure, and convenient loca on to store their bicycle once they get to their trip des na on. The type of bicycle parking facility is dependent on the type of user and volume of bicyclists. For instance, commuters may prefer covered bicycle parking, such as a bike locker, for added security and to protect their bicycles from the elements for extended lengths of me. Alterna vely, someone running errands may be more concerned with ease of access to quickly park and depart the loca on. A secure loca on on-site or within a facility for the temporary storage of bicycles. To accommodate recrea onal bicycling and bicycle mobility, it is essen al that communi es provide, or facilitate the provision of, secure bicycle parking and/or storage for a bicycle. The image below illustrates the need for bicycle parking at the Downingtown Train Sta on where bicycles are o en locked to fences in a wai ng/si ng area because no other op on for bicycle parking is provided. There are several op ons for short-term and long-term bicycle parking and include, but are not limited to, bicycle racks, bicycle sta ons, and bicycle corrals. This train pla orm at the Downingtown Train Sta on illustrates a need for dedicated bike parking. Chester County Mul modal Handbook 2016 91
Bikes locked to sign posts at the West Goshen Shopping Center. Bicycle rack at Thorndale rail sta on. BICYCLE RACKS Sta onary fixtures on which a bicycle is held upright and securely a ached (typically using a bicycle lock) to prevent the. Bicycle Racks Depending on the type of rack and space dedicated to the parking of bicycles, a bicycle rack can accommodate a few bicycles or a few dozen. Bicycle racks are available in many different designs and configura ons that can be customized to any given installa on. At a minimum, bicycle racks should be conveniently located, easy to use, and secure. 92 Chester County Mul modal Handbook 2016
Bicycle Corrals Corrals typically have 6 to 12 bicycle racks in a row and can park 10 to 20 bicycles using space otherwise occupied by one to two cars. Bike corrals remove the bicycle (and rider) from the sidewalk and away from poten al conflicts with pedestrians using the sidewalk. Several bike corrals have been installed in the City of Philadelphia where the demand is high for bicycle parking as shown in the following image. BICYCLE CORRALS On-street bicycle parking facili es that make efficient use of on-street automobile parking spaces for bicycle parking in areas with a high demand. A bicycle corral at Walnut and South Sydenham Streets,Philadelphia. Bicycle Sta ons Ameni es can include changing facili es, day use lockers, parts and other gear available for purchase, repair services, air infla on sta ons, and informa on. Cyclists can purchase a membership to access their bicycles any me, day or night. The bike sta on pictured below is located in Washington D.C. and the membership fee averages around $100 per year. BICYCLE STATIONS Typically enclosed parking structures that securely house bicycles from the and from the elements. A bike sta on in Washington D.C. (Photo Courtesy of Mobis Transporta on Alterna ves) Chester County Mul modal Handbook 2016 93
A bike sta on in O awa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by John Calnan of SEPTA) Recommenda ons Municipali es should include requirements for bicycle parking in their zoning/subdivision & land development ordinances. Bicycle parking should be targeted to the following land uses: Institutional (libraries, schools, government offices) Retail centers Employment centers Recreational uses (parks and trails) Rail stations Transportation centers There are a number of ways to incorporate bicycle parking into ordinances. Ordinances can require a certain amount of parking spaces be dedicated to bicycle parking though the installa on of bike racks. Ordinance standards can also require or encourage the installa on of bike racks near the entrance to a business or use on a public sidewalk where appropriate accommoda ons can be made. This can be accomplished through off street parking requirements, streetscape requirements, or incen ves. The following are recommended guidelines towards the establishment of a bicycle parking ordinance: Bicycle racks should be required based on the density or intensity of a proposed residential, institutional, commercial, or industrial use. For example, one (1) bicycle rack that accommodates a minimum of ten (10) bicycles shall be required for every fifty-thousand (50,000) 94 Chester County Mul modal Handbook 2016
square feet of gross leasable floor area or fifty (50) or more multifamily dwelling units. The municipality can adjust the thresholds to meet their community objectives or the intent of the associated zoning district. Land Use Mul -family Residen al Ins tu onal, Commercial or Industrial # of Bicycle Parking Spaces 10 spaces for every 50 or more dwelling units 10 spaces for every 50,000 SF Gross Floor Area Bicycle racks should be permanently anchored to promote stability and security, unless the racks are portable in which case they should be securely locked to a permanent structure. Bicycle racks should be located in visible areas near building entrances and/or areas of pedestrian activity such as: courtyards, bus shelters, etc. Bicycle racks should be located under a shelter or a building overhang or inset to provide shelter from the elements for bicycles and riders. Where no designated area for bicycle racks is feasible, perhaps in the case of a change in use, automobile parking space(s) can be dedicated to bicycle parking through the use of portable bicycle racks. Other means by which to provide for more bicycle parking include: Encourage businesses to place bike racks at existing facilities; and, Ask businesses/business associations to donate money for bicycle parking or to sponsor bicycle parking for placement by the municipality. Chester County Mul modal Handbook 2016 95