Bicycle parking

Fri, 03 Jun 2022 08:54:23 GMT

This is the start of a post for my work blog. It's a bit of a dump of all of the thoughts and research I've done over the last little while. It needs refinement and some more research.

I'm a member of the Yarra Active Transport Advisory Committee and we've recently provided advice on the draft Transport Strategy. Then my mother had her bike stolen from the "secure" bicycle parking at her apartment building and my son moved into a 70's apartment block without any space for bicycle parking at all and I realised that there's a gap in the mindset of those of us who want to encourage active transport, particularly bike riding.

My understanding was extended when I was part of the community consultation for the local Public Housing Estate. The draft masterplan includes reduced car parking, but hasn't acknowledged the resident experience of insecure bicycle parking. People on the estate currently have nowhere to store a bicycle but they all have access to carparking.

We can build as many bike lanes as you like, but if people don't have somewhere convenient to put their bikes, they won't own them and they won't ride them. (I wonder if that's what makes electric scooters so popular?)

When I decided to shift more of my regular transportation to the bike, I had to make sure that my bike was easier to get out than the car. It had to have the lights on it or nearby and the same with weather proof gear, locks and the helmet. Here's me on the radio talking about what I did. What role do councils and advocacy groups have in promoting great bicycle parking facilities?

As a Green Star assessor I see lots of bicycle parking facilities that are supposed to be a positive addition to a building but I'm convinced that lots of architects have never ridden a bike, or used bike parking facilities or had a bike stolen. Here's what I think every apartment building bicycle parking facility should include;

suitable paths between the entry door and the next available locking position
flat access in the facility
ramp access from the street to the facility
a mix of flat bar and vertical bike parking to allow for children and older bike riders, as well as the able bodied who can lift their bikes.
security nuts on all locking frames
Obscured view of the bikes inside - no chain wire!
cctv of the entry
individually identifiable access cards, with building manager followup to make sure that access is removed when moving out.
more stuff here after I hear from apartment residents in Yarra

Sustainability Victoria have a Waste Management and Recycling in Multi-unit Developments. Better Practice Guide. It includes an appendix with full calculations and suggested layouts for various size apartment buildings. It would be great if there were something similar for bike parking.

Other references;

https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/our-services/bike-parking-experts/
City of Yarra Transport Factsheet
White paper on AS2890.3 by a bike parking equipment supplier
Better Apartments Design Standards only worried about access to bike parking, not the quality of the parking provided.

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Bicycle parking