GEORGE BROWN COLLEGE BIKE STORAGE Design Charrette: Final Concept Presentation

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 GEORGE BROWN COLLEGE BIKE STORAGE Design Charrette: Final Concept Presentation

939,000 residents of Toronto are cyclists and over 60% of households owned bicycles* *2001 Decima Survey Results, City of Toronto Bike Plan, Chapter 2

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 As part of its ongoing sustainability planning, is committed to supporting this trend and encouraging its students and staff to commute by bicycle

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 Project Overview Through the development of a college-wide bicycle strategy and the exploration of alternate means of transportation, the college will address the issues of bike safety, storage and security and anticipate the changing face of personal urban transportation

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 Project Objectives This design charrette: 1. Investigated the changing transportation needs of students, faculty & staff 2. Designed a flexible bicycle storage solution that could work in different locations 3. Developed a bike storage solution for the St James campus space using this system 4. Created plans for the maintenance and development of further bike storage solutions

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 Design Parameters Set new standards for environmental mandates and corporate social responsibility policies within Identify and address issues around personal bicycle storage including theft, damage and accessibility Store bikes efficiently Address personal safety and security issues for cyclists Act as a social hub for cyclists and community members Consider varying ability levels of users Fit well into the local environment Use modular designs that can be configured to fit into a variety of sites Address financial planning that may support future maintenance or programming Take advantage of small, unused pieces of land that occur around campus buildings

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 Design Considerations Personal hygiene facilities such as shower/change rooms Maintenance and customer service Bike-sharing partnerships Sense of ownership by users Enrich a public space and offer complementary features outside of bike storage Engage the community, possibly offering skills workshops and volunteer programming Phased construction Bicycle maintenance facilities Impact on the public realm Impact on the environment Innovative sustainable product design Material exploration (fabric, wood, wire, mesh, glass, resin, steel) Other modes of personal transportation such as scooters, rollerblades, skateboards, motorboards, motorcycles, mopeds

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 In-depth background research gave the participants insight into the many issues that impact bike storage on the George Brown Campuses and in the City of Toronto.

Cycling Culture Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 Cycling culture varies widely from place to place, even from suburb to urban neighbourhood. North American cycling culture is largely centred on recreation, unlike Europe and Asia where cycling is a part of their transportation culture.

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 Bicycles A bicycle is one of the most efficient means of transportation available. Ideally suited to personal travel, bikes represent a rapid means of travelling from place to place for practically no cost and with little impact on the environment.

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 Personal Urban Transportation While cycling is a great choice for many kinds of travel, it is not the best answer for everyone or for every type of trip. For some people the physical exertion or the need to cover longer distances may mean that a motorized or motor-assisted means of travel may be the best choice. For others, portability may be key and they may want to chose a skateboard or in- line skates that allow them to hop on and off public transit or carry their transportation into their office or classroom.

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 Bike Storage How bikes are stored is a critical issue. Theft and vandalism are the most commonly cited reason that people choose not to ride their bike even for relatively short distances, and lack of appropriate places to lock up a bike are a major part of that.

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 Target Users The primary target user of this bike storage solution is faculty and staff living within a 10km radius of their primary campuses. This group is already cycling or has the fewest barriers to cycling. Staff and faculty tend to be older, are more likely to live in urban neighbourhoods or inner suburbs and fit the profile of the average North American cyclist. The secondary target users are students who live within 10-15km of their campus and students who might commute part of the distance by transit or other means cultivating this user group will probably require marketing and/or programming support.

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 Site Details

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 Process 1 Charrette over 5 Days 6 Expert Advisors, including 1 Urban Planner 1 Contractor 2 Industrial Designers 1 Bike Specialist 1 Sustainability Specialist 16+ Major Concepts generated 3 Selected for exploration 1 Concept chosen for refinement

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 Process Participants included:" George Brown Administration George Brown Green Team George Brown Faculty, Staff & Students Magna Marque The Toronto Cyclist Union The Canadian Urban Institute The City of Toronto: Transportation Division, Smart Commute CMHC Metrolinx Waterfront Toronto

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 Process: Preliminary Concepts

Idea One: The Ribbon Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009

Idea Two: The Garden Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009

Idea Three: The Rail Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009

Proposed Concept: The Bike Line A bold streak of red directs the user to and from the site, visually connecting the buildings of the campus while providing integral infrastructure to support modules and services.

The Bike Line Experience: Spring I leave my classroom and hit the street. Overhead, an audacious streak of red slices a path through the urban landscape.

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 Spring A cyclist darts between halted vehicles and disappears in an alleyway. His trajectory echoes the crimson line overhead. I enter the park as he is debiking, resting upon one of the benches that hang from this aerial pathway. His bike, suspended on an adjacent module, floats on an arc of brushed steel.

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 Spring I didn t know this area existed. An oasis tucked away, where the traffic seems to disappear. Patches of green dot the landscape. The area feels like a garden of functional art, a school yard full of beautiful toys.

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 Spring A group of students fire-up an adjacent BBQ. It s a fundraiser. I did not expect to find this kind of community here.

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 Spring The pipe itself supports all the boundless activity around me. Bike racks and benches hang from its structure. A smattering of electric bikes are parked, charging in one of the modules. I follow the pipeline, through the yard and it leads to an exercise station. I ve been sitting all day and feel stiff, so I jump on a bike and start to pedal. I forgot how much fun it is to ride.

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 Spring I never thought of George Brown as a safe place to cycle -- too many cars, busy streets, streetcar tracks - but the number of bikes in this yard amaze me. I really don t live that far away myself...

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 The Bike Line Experience: Winter I cannot believe this day. When I got up this morning, it was already freezing, bitterly cold, wind violently blowing. But the snow the snow is the worst.

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 Winter I rode my bike today like I do every day and I have got to tell you, these bike lockers on campus are a godsend. I don t think that I could bear to ride here if I didn t have this place. I can keep all of my stuff together, safe and dry, and not worry about having to drag the gear into the classroom with me.

Winter Riding in the winter is tough. There is so much to contend with the roads, the snow banks, the weather. But as I stop at a red light and see the crowded streetcar that s pulled up next to me, I am so relieved that I am not one of those people, crammed in like wet, cold sardines - or worse, left out in the cold because the car is full and waiting for the next full car to come.

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 Winter I wonder if the snow will still be this bad by the time I leave tonight, but I don t have to worry about whether or not my stuff will still be there at the end of the day. And on a day like today, it makes all the difference in the world.

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 The Bike Line Features Provides a visual and physical infrastructure with an infinite amount of uses Can potentially be continued throughout the campus to visually tie pieces together Easily applied in shorter segments on other sites or to expand uses outward from the central spine Modular elements support a variety of new functions for the space:" Bike Storage & Amenities Social Spaces Green Features Basic Service Amenities Energy Capture

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 Bike Storage & Amenities Bike Rack Options A - The curvature of this bike rack will allow increased bicycle storage within a smaller footprint. B - The inverted ring and post design allows several points of contact between the locking station and bicycle.

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 Bike Storage & Amenities Bike Lockers Bike lockers can be rented on either a monthly basis from Student Services or the Student Association office. These provide an extra level of security from theft and the elements

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 Bike Storage & Amenities Ramp A standard channel will be laid up the center portion of the existing stair unit in order to facilitate ease of access from the north west corner of the site.

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 Bike Storage & Amenities Air Pump & Water Dispenser Water and Air modules provide added incentive to utilize the on site bike park.

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 Bike Storage & Amenities E-bike parking & Charging E-bike Charging Stations will provide power for pedal assist bikes. On site lighting and E-bike charging stations will be powered primarily by solar and wind turbine modules as well as energy captured from the exercise stations.

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 Social Spaces Benches Ample seating encourages people to socialize and hang out in the area, improving security and creating an outdoor student lounge Benches are made of FSC cedar, providing durability

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 Green Features Planters Plant species local to Ontario suspended, on the ground, and integrated into the seating provide green space. Due to its durability and its FSC cedar will be utilized for seating elements.

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 Basic Services Basic amenities Waste disposal, recycling, and energy efficient lighting will be provided, supporting all activities in the space

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 Energy Capture Energy Features Solar and wind modules and Generative Fitness Equipment will capture energy and power the lighting and bike charging facilities

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 College & Municipal Impact Posi&ons George Brown College as a leader in facilita&ng sustainable transporta&on methods Enhances the College s exis&ng Green and Corporate Social Responsibility strategies Visually connects College campuses Creates a cultural landmark and des&na&on Links the College to Toronto resources, such as transit, restaurants and bike paths Encourages cycling for students, staff & faculty Increases security of personal property

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 Analysis Strengths Modular, reconfigurable and flexible Allows seasonal variations and evolution over time. Bold design statement Provides a physical conduit for amenities Physically connects separate buildings One or two sided Easily implemented in a variety of settings Provides way-finding Opportunities Could bring cohesion to the campus buildings Generates a sense of community at the college Creates areas for social interaction Gatherings create opportunities for marketing Provides badly needed, high-quality outdoor space on the campus Iconic structure that provides branding for the college Potential to carry a narrative or timeline Weaknesses Could look dated in time if not initially well designed Materials & custom work might be costly Maintenance issues due to materials Storage of seasonal components Complex issues regarding mechanical services Threats Mechanical difficulties Long-term commitment to one supplier Creating modules that are both secure and mobile Wear and tear Vandals

Programming Options Graphic panels will provide narrative structure while contextualizing GBC involvement in sustainability. This might be an opportunity to tell the story of s History.

Programming Options Way-finding signage will direct users and will aid in connecting the campus to the city.

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 Budget

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 Future Expansion

Bicycle Storage Design Charrette April 2009 Thank You