Bicycle Parking Racks

Bicycle parking racks, also known as bicycle stands or simply bicycle parking, are designed to eliminate bicycle clutter and create secure, organized parking spaces. With the growing population and the increasing number of vehicles, local authorities are encouraging bicycle use to reduce traffic congestion and environmental pollution. The importance of bicycles—as environmentally friendly, economical, and practical transportation options—continues to rise due to heightened environmental awareness.

However, as bicycle usage increases, so does the need for adequate parking solutions. Bicycle parking racks address this issue by providing designated spaces that help keep areas organized and safe for parking. These racks come in various sizes and are constructed from rust-resistant materials to ensure longevity. Stainless steel or galvanized materials, particularly those treated through hot-dip galvanization, effectively resist rust. Additionally, standard spacing between racks and ergonomic designs provide comfortable and efficient parking options. Using solid materials, such as transmission shafts, for the racks also helps prevent bending.

Bicycle parking racks are ideal for a variety of locations, including private parking areas, housing complexes, universities, colleges, study centers, government buildings, bike lanes, urban train and metro stations, bus terminals, stadiums, sports centers, shopping malls, business centers, military establishments, police departments, and supermarkets.

Bicycle Parking Rack Models

Bicycle parking racks come in a variety of designs. Options range from ground-mounted bicycle stands, wall-mounted racks, and spiral bicycle racks to Z-type models. For ground-mounted racks, there are products suitable for single or double-sided use. If double-sided racks are chosen, the installation area must be sufficient for double-sided parking. Bicycle parking racks are available in different designs, colours, and finishes like galvanized coatings. Galvanized models are preferable for use in outdoor areas like coastal or humid regions due to their rust-resistant qualities. Hot-dip galvanization improves durability. When installing multiple ground-mounted units, choose staggered rack types so bike handlebars do not collide.

Bicycle Parking Dimensions

Racks that do not adhere to standard measurements will not effectively reduce bicycle clutter. Fallen or improperly parked bicycles often result from poorly designed racks. Each parking rack must provide a minimum of 35 cm of space per bicycle. Racks can be designed as single, double, triple, or quadruple, based on this measurement. Bicycle parking standards are defined in the regulations as follows:

Bicycle Parking Standards

The Design and Construction of Bicycle Paths, Bicycle Stations, and Bicycle Parking Spaces regulation, published in the Turkish Official Gazette (No. 29521, November 3, 2015), provides specific standards for bicycle parking design. In Section 6, it refers to the TS 11782 standards and outlines the following design principles:

1. Bicycle stations and parking spaces must include locking mechanisms that securely fasten bicycles and allow them to be easily placed and removed.
2. Bicycle parking equipment must be resistant to impacts and weather conditions.
3. Bicycle stations and parking spaces should be designed according to their location, following the guidelines in Appendix 4. These include single-row, double-row, circular, or semi-circular designs:
   • In a single-row, perpendicular layout, the space between two bicycles should be 0.60–0.70 m, and the parking space should be 1.90 m long.
   • In a single-row, angled layout (45˚), the parking bandwidth should be 1.35 m, and the horizontal distance between bicycles should be 0.85 m.
   • In circular or semi-circular layouts, bicycle racks must be arranged around a tree or pole.
   • A double-row layout should have a 1.75 m gap between rows for pedestrian access and manoeuvring.
   • The minimum gap for manoeuvring and walking in a double-row, angled layout should be 1.40 m.
   • Wall-mounted bicycle parking racks involve bicycles being placed semi-vertically against a wall.
   • Bicycle parking areas can also be designed according to national or international standards approved by the relevant municipality.

These standards ensure bicycle parking spaces are designed efficiently and securely, accommodating the growing need for bicycle storage in urban environments.