Bicycle Facilities

Bicycle Parking

Good bicycle parking is essential to promote cycling. Bicycle parking should be provided at regional destinations, public transport interchanges, local attractors, and residential areas. Two main issues are essential when planning the amount and type of cycle parking: proximity and security. Duration of parking is also important to determine the type of parking supply. By counting the number of bicycles locked to street furniture and to existent cycle parking, it is possible to estimate the amount of unsatisfied demand and increase parking provision. Although there are several types of cycle parking equipment, the Sheffield stand is the most adequate design, as it allows for holding the bicycle and locking both wheels.

Four main approaches to planning bicycle parking can be considered in accordance with the length of stay and the type of user:

• Mini: Stands and racks, free and on-street. Designed for short stays and drop-in customers and visitors—up to two hours
• Midi: Small-scale, locked and covered facilities. Designed for residents, medium-term parking for visitors and employees—up to eight hours or overnight.
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• Maxi: Constructed parking for neighborhoods. Designed for residents, should be planned for overnight parking.
• Mega: City center parking or at main stations. Designed for city center residents, tourists, employees, etc.

Site Considerations

In order to be effective, bicycle parking should be easy to find and located as close to destinations as possible. Proximity is the key element. It is preferable to have several small clusters of cycle parking spread around the city rather than only a few large parking areas. Nevertheless, normally cyclists are willing to park away from the destination if the parking is designed for a long stay in a high-quality covered and secure parking facility. Parking should also be easy to use and allow locking both wheels of the bicycle without removing the front wheel and to support and lock the bicycle frame. Stands that require the bicycle to be lifted should be avoided.

All high-demand areas such as transport interchanges, tourist places, and other attractors should have cycle parking. This includes workplaces, educational institutions, public transport stations, town centers, shopping centers, entertainment and cultural institutions, stadiums and sports facilities, and recreational destinations such as beaches and parks. Cycle parking use should be monitored in order to increase supply or relocate stands if necessary.

Ideally cycle parking should be free, including cycle lockers and other secure covered parking. If charged, fees should be as affordable as possible. Long-stay parking is as important as short-stay parking, and covered, secure parking should be provided in residential areas, public transport interchanges, and major employment areas.

Types of Parking Facilities

There are five main types of parking

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