Madrax Bike Racks
To get the most use out of your bike storage space, let your goals lead you to your ideal layout. Use these common objectives for bike storage to help shape your bicycle storage designs.
User Friendly
If you expect tenants to be more active in their cycling, consider the value of a user-friendly layout. This would include:
- Ground-mounted bike racks
- Adequate clearance around the rack
- Prominent aisles
The additional space around and between racks gives users more room to maneuver within the bike storage area. It's also easier to access and lock the bicycle from the side.
Additionally, floor-mounted bike racks don't require lifting to store the bicycle.
This type of design works well for commuters who rely on their bike to be a primary mode of transportation. They will appreciate the ease in accessing and returning their bike to storage.
This type of layout also reduces the chance that a bicycle will be damaged by another bicycle being put into or taken out of storage.
In addition to easily accessible bike storage spaces, a biker-friendly layout should include amenities that make the space more useful for cyclists, such as bike repair stands, tire pumps, and benches.
The main drawback of this design is that it has a lower density of bike storage per square foot than other layout designs.
High Density
A high-density bike storage design provides the greatest number of spaces to store bicycles in the allotted area, while also adhering to ordinances and best practices. This layout style includes:
- Vertical bicycle parking
- Two-tiered bike racks
- Reduced spacing between racks
- Minimum aisle and clearances
To create the greatest number of spaces for bicycle storage, you'll most likely incorporate vertical and/or two-tiered bike racks along walls and in open areas. For buildings with bike storage requirements that restrict vertical bike parking, high-density ground mounted bike racks can be used to store the most bicycles.
Using these bicycle storage racks allows you to place bikes closer together and achieve the highest density of bike storage per square foot.
While this type of layout does store a greater number of bicycles, it also makes the area more congested, which could make it difficult for multiple users to access their bikes at the same time.
On one hand, the area is beneficial for those who just want a spot to store their bicycle, but a less-than-desirable option for those who plan to regularly use the area.
It also isn't ideal if users of the space have certain physical limitations. For example, those unable to lift their bicycle off the ground would not be able to store their bicycles in vertical bike racks.
Balanced
Another option is to blend high-density and user friendly designs into a balanced layout.
Here you would fill part of the area with high-density bike racks, while placing more user friendly racks in the other portion.
This will serve cyclists who ride on a regular basis as well as those whose main concern is just having a space to store their bicycle.
Related Resources
- Correctly Space Bike Storage Racks
- Vertical Bike Parking Systems
- Two Tiered Bike Rack Selection Tips
