Bike Storage, Tips

Campus Bike Parking: An Introductory Course

June 15, 2017

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

Ideals to Action: Climate Ride 2015

July 8, 2015
We believe bikes are not just a form of recreation but an integral element in a path toward more sustainable systems of transportation, public space, and consumption. At the end of May, our LA regional Sales Rep Greg participated in the California North Coast Climate Ride, a 5-day supported tour that promotes environmental stewardship and education. Below are Greg’s reflections on his experiences during the ride and how his work at Dero cultivates an active approach to advocacy. (All photos by Greg).

  1.       Why did you participate in the Climate Ride?

I participated in Climate Ride because I wanted to raise money to support the work of the LA County Bicycle Coalition. Having been a volunteer for a number of years now, I’ve seen firsthand the effect of their advocacy work to make safer streets in Los Angeles. I’d also never participated in a long-distance trek like Climate Ride, so I wanted to see if I could handle the physical task of 320+ miles. On the ride, I competed my first 100-mile “century” day, traveled the fastest I’d ever gone (41 mph!) and saw/rode through the Redwoods for the first time. Greg-LACBC

  1.       Who did you ride with?

I rode with Team LACBC – the largest and rowdiest group participating on the ride. Together, we raised a total of over $110K! This money will go towards supporting LACBC’s education and advocacy efforts to make LA a healthy, fun and safe place to ride a bike. You can still make a donation here if you’d like.

  1.       What kind of preparation did you do before the ride?

Armed with blissful optimism and the sophomoric knowledge that I bike every day, I only did a couple training rides before we left for the trip. I’d say the biggest hurdle in prepping for a 5-day bike trip was packing the right kits since I’m used to sunny SoCal weather. After this trip, I’m now the proud owner of some very toasty arm warmers, and I love them. Greg-redwoods

  1.       What did you learn about sustainability and active transportation from the ride?

On the first day, we stopped at a place called the Solar Living Institute and learned about the great work they’re doing to support solar training and sustainable living education. On other nights, we got to hear from Grid Alternatives, Corrine Winter of the Silicon Valley Bike Coalition, Amelia Conlen of Bike Santa Cruz County, Renee Rivera of Bike East Bay and LACBC’s own Education Director Colin Bogart. It was amazing and inspiring to hear about all of the current efforts being made by these and other groups all over the country. More and more, communities of people are beginning to realize the numerous benefits of cycling. Not only is it healthy for people and the environment, but it’s good for businesses too.

  1.       Why do you support bicycling advocacy?

I’m a person on a bike in Los Angeles because I hate sitting in traffic. I support bike advocacy because some people don’t have access to alternate forms of transportation and the streets should be safe for everyone. For cyclists who are just starting out, it can be very intimidating to get on the road and share the lane with cars. Better infrastructure has to take first priority and I’m really proud to see that the City is on it’s way to having Great Streets.   Greg-goldengate

  1.       How does Dero support cycling advocacy?

I see Dero’s products as an integral part of cycling advocacy. No matter where or what you ride, you always need to find a safe place to park. Whether it’s a new Fixit Station, Cycle Stall or Hoop Rack, Dero is helping to provide a more rich cycling experience for the residents of LA. It’s great to witness the drastic changes that have taken place in this city over the last few years and I’m so excited for what’s to come. I also want to say thank you to Dero for supporting and helping me reach my Climate Ride fundraising goal. It’s a great feeling – getting to work for a company that’s just as passionate about cycling as me.