Bike Storage, Tips

Campus Bike Parking: An Introductory Course

A+ Bike Parking

First and foremost, quality bike parking on any campus means more than just something to lock to (that would barely qualify as a passing grade). Good bike racks and bicycle storage should be u-lock compatible, protect students’ bikes from the elements, and be numerous enough to meet demand. Everyone hates searching for a spot to park when you’re already late for class!

Bike shelters are a great example of quality bicycle storage that protects students’ bikes from bad weather. In the above photo, a student at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN checks out a bike from the campus bike share program. The Kolo Shelter is a perfect solution for fitting two-tiered systems, like the Dero Decker, to double up on bike parking capacity.

indoor bike room A bike room at Portland State University.

It should be no surprise that bike rooms receive an “A” grade in our book. Fully enclosed, secure parking, like in Portland State University’s Bike Garage, includes both two-tier and floor-mounted parking options, which accommodates many different types of bikes. Many bike rooms are furnished with public bike repair amenities, such as the Fixit repair stand and Air Kit bike pumps.

Keep Students Rolling

public bike repair stand The Dero Fixit public bike repair stand.

Bike repair stands don’t only belong in bike rooms. They’re perfect for busy bike paths, in or outside student residence halls, and in central public spaces on campus. The Dero Fixit provides all the necessary tools so students can perform basic bike maintenance. Add either an Air Kit 2 or Air Kit 3, and students have the ability to repair flats or top off the air in their tires.

Public bicycle repair stands are also great educational opportunities. Many campuses teach fix-a-flat or tune-up classes at the stands, so students can learn how to use all of the tools available to them. Here are a few videos that colleges and universities made to highlight their campus bike repair:

University of Iowa, UT Arlington, Tufts University, Penn State, University of Oregon.

Encourage Active Transportation

College campuses have high numbers of active people in a concentrated area. Dero ZAP is our automated commuter tracking program and is used to incentivize and gather data on students’ commutes at campuses across the country.

At the University of Minnesota, Dero ZAP has been used to track both faculty and students’ commutes since 2012. Steve Sanders, Alternative Transportation Manager at the U, says that “Since the program’s inception in 2012 we’ve seen increased bicycle mode share and a deepened cycling culture. We’ve also been extremely pleased by how many women are actively participating – over 40% of participants are women.”

For more information on Dero ZAP, watch our “How it works” video.

Cultivate Campus Identity

bike rack on college campus St. Olaf Collage chose to highlight their logo in this custom laser-cut Bike Bike Rack.

As more colleges and universities invest more resources into their biking infrastructure, custom racks are a great way for schools to stand out and add a personalized touch to their bike parking. At Dero, we’ve had years of experience making custom projects a reality. All we need is your school’s logo or mascot.

bike friendly campus logo

Feel confident you’ve mastered Campus Bike Parking 101? Time to take your biking game to the next level: consider applying for Bicycle Friendly University (BFU) status through the League of American Bicyclists. Dero has been a Gold certified Bike Friendly Business for over 4 years (you can read our story here), and we hope you “ace” your BFU application!

Advocacy, Tips

What Makes a Good Bike Rack?

By Lou Fineberg National Advocacy Accounts Manager This post originally appeared on Strong Towns during their Bike Week. A bike rack is a bike rack, right? If you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all… Actually, bike parking is not quite that simple. For nearly 15 years, I have been closely involved in bike parking. As an advocate, I co-founded Bike Pittsburgh, and now, working for Dero in the bike parking industry, I interact with bike advocates nationwide. Here are my observations about bike parking done right. download

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Bicycle parking should be located in an easily accessible area that is well-lit, secure, and preferably sheltered. It should be placed as close to the building entrance(s) as possible, or at least as close as the nearest car parking. When done well, bike parking can enhance a space, make people with bikes feel welcomed, and even encourage more people to ride. When done poorly it can convey indifference, cause frustration, be an eyesore, or even a hazard. Imagine having roads, but nowhere to park cars. As cities increasingly develop bike paths, cycle tracks, and green lanes, bike parking is essential. Otherwise, as any urban planner will tell you, we are welcoming chaos to our public spaces. Good ordinances and good planning help municipalities and organizations determine where bikes get parked. Transit hubs and businesses are the obvious places for bike racks, but it is also important to observe cities in the same way the esteemed Jane Jacobs did by watching how people interact with places, which leads us to know where bike racks function best. Some underused bike parking investments have been mistaken as failures, but the placement is usually wrong, not the bike rack. Bike parking that is out of the way often gets ignored.

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SECURITY AND STABILITY ARE KEY

A bike should be able to rest firmly against a bike rack – two points of contact is ideal. The frame and front wheel, which can swivel, need to rest fully supported against the rack and be able to lock to the bike rack with a U-style or similarly secure lock. This provides security and stability – the essentials of good bike parking. When selecting bike parking, some basic questions will help determine a good solution: Is it intended for short-term use (less than 2 hours) or long-term (more than 2 hours)? Convenience trumps shelter for short-term parking, while protection from the elements is prioritized in long-term settings. How many bicycles need to be parked? What are the location and dimensions of the space? What is the budget? There are bike racks designed to best fit sidewalks, streetscapes, inside buildings and out. There are horizontal, vertical, stacked, and custom options all designed to meet various needs and spaces. Bike lockers, shelters, and rooms are best for long-term bike parking for additional security and weather protection.

GOVERNMENT’S ROLE

Local government can play a critical role in making sure bike parking is implemented properly. Their tools include requirements in the city code that dictate the appropriate design and quantities for bike parking. San Francisco has among the most comprehensive bike parking regulations in the nation and this has resulted in the dramatic increase in bike rooms in buildings. Streamlined permitting processes for bike racks in the public right-of-way and at events also helps significantly increase bicycle access. Cities that truly want to encourage bicycling have money in their budgets – even a modest amount – earmarked for bike racks in business districts. Sometimes it is a part of a cost share program that helps stretch dollars further, like in Minneapolis. It’s also important to understand and work within the political climate where the legislation is being passed. Proper enforcement will help regulations to stick.

THE INDIVIDUAL’S ROLE

The most important role an individual has is advocating for more bike parking. Governments usually do not act until people speak up. If you feel your voice is not being heard, ally with a local organization and help them champion bike parking as an important issue. Fortunately, the current growth in using bikes for transportation makes it easier to argue your case. This is true when it comes to businesses as well. In the past, bicycle investments were often couched in “the right thing to do” category. Today they are increasingly understood as a smart investment because bike parking and other bike amenities attract people (customers and employees) who demand it. If you’re a business owner, you might also consider installing a bike rack outside your store/office.

INSPIRATION, CREATIVITY, & FUN

Custom bike racks can be fanciful and help identify stores, neighborhoods, districts, and cities. The key to a successful custom rack is that it must be functional as well. Bike Pittsburgh started in part with a public art bike rack called the Three Rivers rack (check out the video to the right). It caught the public’s attention in a way that helped garner almost immediate recognition and support. Subsequently, we quickly learned the power of the bike rack. It is not only a place to park a bike, but it is a symbol that marks bike friendly places and encourages more people to ride. Bike Pittsburgh also used a “Pop Up” grant in collaboration with the Pittsburgh Parking Authority to reinvent a small section of a parking garage reserved for eight bike racks. The colorful project, called Space Invaders, significantly increased the amount of bike parking and brought attention to a space that previously went unnoticed. Another project, spearheaded by an affordable housing developer, dedicated the entire side of a historic building in Downtown Pittsburgh to bike parking. They used reclaimed shipping containers at the foot of the building and called attention to it with a several story high mural that is visible to thousands of daily commuters.

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EQUITY IN CITIES

Bike parking can also be a way for developers to offset car parking requirements when the local code allows a swap of required car parking for bicycle parking – a common feature in well-informed legislation that reflect changing mobility preferences. The swap has benefited many urban developments. Lena Andrews, a Planning and Development Officer at Action Housing in Pittsburgh is adamant that, “affordable housing should not be car-oriented.” Developments intended to serve those with lower-incomes are best located in places that are walk, bike, and transit accessible. This also can make projects more financially feasible for developers, since bike parking is extremely inexpensive compared to car parking, and also saves on space which, in this case, increased the number of units for Andrews’ project. Win-win. Slowly, bike parking is becoming more than just an afterthought. Ten years ago the City of Pittsburgh had no clear mechanism in place to install the Three Rivers bike rack, and it was arduous to navigate all of the city departments involved. However, our team dove in to acquire the signatures from property owners and adjacent property owners, and solve the issue of paying for the encroachment fees. After some perseverance, bike parking emerged as a dramatic catalyst that inspired fun, creativity, and challenged us to rethink public spaces. It became part of the public conversation. Now the City of Pittsburgh has a webpage dedicated to bike parking. Have no doubt – well planned bicycle parking enhances lives, making biking convenient and encouraging people to enjoy their city on two wheels.
Tips

Trailhead Design

When it comes to trailhead design, riders have a wide array of needs and abilities. Amenities like public bicycle repair stands, overhead shelters, and quality bike parking sets a bike friendly tone for trail users. Below, we’ll examine how each feature can improve your trailhead designs and provide a welcoming addition for bicyclists. joelfixit-43x Public bike repair is a necessity for any trail or bike path. Even the best prepared riders can’t anticipate when they’ll be stuck without the right tool, and the Dero Fixit stand has saved many a stranded cyclist. Each stand comes with an array of tools, including allen wrenches, philips and flat head screwdrivers, box wrenches, and tire levers. They are at home on any kind of trail or path–from a BMX park to a riverside esplanade. We love having several Fixits installed along the Midtown Greenway bike path in our hometown of Minneapolis! air-kit-3-04 What else might bicyclists need while out riding? Air! Over the years, we’ve designed two high quality, heavy-duty air pumps for repeated outdoor public use. Our Air Kit 2 model handily attaches to Fixit stands, and the Air Kit 3 (pictured above) has an integrated air pressure gauge, which is important for off-road riders who need to finely tune their tire pressures for certain terrains. pump-stop1   The Pump Stop is a useful accompaniment to our Air Kit bike pumps, which holds bikes upright while filling tires with air. saddle-buddy-lebanon-02   Designed specifically for trailheads and bike parks, the Saddle Buddy™ offers a temporary resting place for our two-wheeled companions. Though it is not designed to be a lockable bike rack, it’s perfect for stowing your while gearing up for the ride ahead or taking a break between runs. sparta-helix1   Traditional bike parking is also a welcome addition to any trailhead or bike path. Above are the Dero Helix Racks featured next to the famed Elroy-Sparta Trail in central Wisconsin. randallx   Want to make your trailhead stand out? Our custom designs can include logos, signs, and even fully custom bike rack shapes. Pictured above are custom laser-cut bike racks we designed for the town of Pequot Lakes, MN, which is located on the Paul Bunyan State Trail in northern Minnesota. 15489496887_396dec68e8_z Finally, bike shelters can be included in your trailhead design to provide welcome protection from the elements. Whether covering way-finding signage, a public bike repair stand, bike parking, or picnic tables, shelters are an important trailhead design element that can serve all trail users.
Public Bike Repair

Notes From a Bike Parking Nerd: Public Bike Repair

Fixits

Public bike repair goes with quality bicycle parking like a smile while riding your favorite two-wheeled steed. Riders never know when they’ll need to make a minor adjustment, whether it’s tightening brakes, pumping up tires, or adjusting seatpost height. Bike repair amenities like our Fixit and Tool Kits are at home in nearly any setting–secured bike rooms, city parks and trails, covered bike shelters, college campuses, and private businesses. Both the Fixit and Tool Kits include all the necessary tools to perform basic repairs and maintenance, and they’re securely attached using aircraft grade stainless steel cables and tamper-resistant fasteners. Also check out our crowdsourced map with locations of nearly 900 public Fixit stations around the world.

Differences between Air Kit 2 & Air Kit 3

We offer two heavy-duty air pump models to accompany your public bike repair. The Air Kit 2 and Air Kit 3 were both designed from the ground up by Dero engineers, are constructed from quality steel tubing, and require minimal upkeep to maintain (more on this later in the post). The primary differences between the two models are: Air Kit 2:
  • -Both Fixit-mounted and freestanding options
  • -Smaller footprint
  • -No pressure gauge

Air Kit 3:

  • -Freestanding mount only
  • -Larger footprint
  • -Includes waterproof, anti-fog pressure gauge
Step 3b

Pump maintenance 101

Our Air Kit pumps both feature lots of moving parts. And like the components on your bicycle, worn out or abused parts occasionally need to be replaced to keep them functioning optimally. The most common maintenance you will perform on your Air Kit is replacing the hose and/or pump head. Fortunately for you, we have detailed video and print instructions that walk you through this process for replacing the pump head and hose on an Air Kit 2. Additionally, nearly all of the replacement parts for our Air Kits (and Fixit stands) can be easily ordered on our website. Pump-stop1

Pump Stops

Pump Stops are the most unassuming product in our bike repair lineup.Not everyone has a kickstand, so we designed it to accompany our Air Kit pumps. A Pump Stop holds your bicycle upright so you can easily fill your tires with air, without risking it falling over in the process. If you need any further assistance with planning or maintaining your public bike repair amenities, please feel free to reach out to our customer service department by calling (888) 337-6729.
Bike Storage, News

New Veloport™ is a Stylish Bike Locker

Dero is proud to announce the Veloport™, a stylish, unique, modular bike locker. The graceful lines and modern laser-cut design makes this locker stand out, while still offering the security and durability needed in long-term bike parking. Its unique, curved form is fully enclosed and offers double the security with a lockable, interior bike tray and u-lock/padlock or keyed options for the door. Its curved door smoothly rolls up and down, opening and closing with the help of a lift assist system.

The Veloport is bike security at its best and is ideal for long-term bike parking applications such as at transit hubs, college campuses, government centers, and airports. The laser cut holes on the font and side panels not only provide a unique look, but help with ventilation and offer site lines for high security settings. The interior tray guides bikes into position and offers a second layer of defense against thieves.

The Veloport is a single-sided, modular system, accommodating one bike per unit. Its frame is galvanized steel with the top and side steel panels available in numerous powder coat colors (door is aluminum). Numbered plates and a fat bike compatible tray are also options. Installation is simple, with assembly onsite with security bolts. The Veloport also ships flat to save on freight.