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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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 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.
If you walked away from a fruitless job interview in college, would you expect to be working at that company as their Director of Marketing a decade later? Bri probably didn’t think so. In this installment of Dero history, she tells us about her custom touring bike and what it was like to interview with Dero during the company’s infancy.
How long have you been at Dero?
Since June 2013…just over two years now.
Do you ride bikes?
Yes!
Where is your favorite place ride?
I’m falling back in love with the Gateway Trail. Earlier this spring I was exploring with a friend and we found the connector trail to Stillwater. It was so great to ride 99% trails from my home in South Minneapolis all the way to Stillwater.
What is your favorite bike to ride?
My favorite bike was my blue Dawes commuter/touring bike that I had built in Australia and shipped back home, but it was stolen last fall. We had so many adventures together – touring solo in Tasmania, Bicycle Film Festival in Sydney, 30 Days of Biking in Minneapolis. But our engineer Joel made me a new, custom steel bike (via Clockwork Bikes), it’s my new favorite! It was designed for commuting and touring, so it has stable handling and comfortable geometry for long rides, as well as all the necessary braze-ons for racks and fenders. The color I chose is inspired by my trip to Thailand earlier this year. I’ve only taken it on a few long rides so far, and I can’t wait to take it on a multi-day adventure.
What sets us apart from other bike rack manufacturers?
The majority of Dero folks are avid bicyclists, so we make sure our products provide solutions for people on bikes. We only make products that we would like to use. Also, Dero has a strong history of advocacy and continues to support organizations all around the country. It’s great to work for a company that gives back.
Favorite rack, and why you like it?
Currently, the Cycle Dock is my favorite. It looks amazing – sleek and refined.
Do you have any funny stories from working at Dero?
During my interview I had a moment of déjà vu when Andy mentioned that Dero used to be located above Bullwinkle’s. Back in college, I had an interview for an admin position for a bike rack company above a bar. I remember climbing the steep stairs to the office. It had tons of boxes everywhere, and not much else. I honestly thought it was a front for laundering money or something, but that was Dero! (I did not get the job.)
Why do people love Dero racks?
People love the quality of our products and our customer service. Our goal is to make our customers and their bikers happy.
Travis, our National Accounts Coordinator, is a man of many talents. On top of being a bike parking expert, did you know he also plays in local psych-folk band Lovely Dark? Today we take another look back at Dero’s history, this time through Travis’ words.
What sets us apart from other bike rack manufacturers?
Our racks are designed by riders for riders and our main engineer is also a frame builder. With many avid bike riders on staff, we try to design our products to help cyclists. We’re a business but we believe in the “Field of Dreams” approach where good infrastructure is what leads to more cyclists and more work.
Do you have any funny stories from working at Dero?
In the old space, we would have to shut down occasionally from squirrels chewing through our exterior wires. Our old owner Rolf owned a few model ship websites and we used to field the occasional random call regarding the specifics of model ships. This was not divulged at the beginning but quickly we figured it out. The ships are long since gone but I still have the infamous Swedish ship, the Vasa, perched in my living room.
Favorite rack, and why you like it?
Ultra Space Saver. I have a set in my garage and they protected my bikes when it was broken into.
Why do people love Dero racks?
We’ve been around for a long time. We’re not going anywhere and there’s a lot of quality and history that goes into our racks. We can also help people realize almost any bike rack and they can be comfortable knowing that it’s going to work.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
