Bicycle Parking Design Guidelines

While the City of Los Angeles will be happy to install parking racks for qualifying locations, we understand that there may be non-qualifying sites where owners are planning to install bicycle parking facilities. In those cases, may we offer the following guidlelines:

Do’s of Bicycle Parking

• DO place short-term bicycle parking as close to the building entrance as possible. This increases security and makes bicycling a visible travel option to bicyclists and non-bicyclists.
• DO make bicycle parking visible to bicyclists, building security, foot traffic, and anyone approaching the building. Making bicycle parking visible to foot traffic reduces the incidents of theft and vandalism.
• DO provide lighting for bicycle parking areas if needed. Motorists as well as bicyclists prefer to park in a well-lit place and it’s a theft deterrent.
• DO install parking devices which support the frame of the bicycle, not just the wheel. Poorly designed bicycle parking devices bend the wheel and damage the bicycle.
• DO install parking devices which accept a variety of locks. It’s discouraging for a bicyclist to ride to a rack and be unable to lock to it.
• DO make the parking facility simple. Many racks designed for short-term bicycle parking are too complex. Inverted-U’s are simple, relatively vandal and maintenance proof, and accept a variety of locks.
• DO keep the bicycle parking area clean. Bicyclists don’t feel unkempt parking areas are secure. Plan for regular maintenance.
• DO provide cover from the elements. Bicyclists don’t want to sit on a wet seat or leave their bicycle out in the rain to rust.
• DO develop a bicycle locker rental program that is low cost and convenient to encourage use by bicycle commuters.

Don’ts of Bicycle Parking

Grid-style racks can damage wheels and are not recommended.

• DON’T put short-term bicycle parking in an out-of-the-way place or put screening or landscaping around short-term bicycle parking. Hiding bicycle parking increases theft.
• DON’T post “No Bike Parking” signage. If bicycles are being parked outside of the bicycle parking area, something is wrong with your bicycle parking. If signage is to be provided, place a sign indicating the location of bicycle parking.
• DON’T place bicycle parking where irrigation systems water bicycles. This seems like common sense but happens quite frequently.
• DON’T install lockers, or other bicycle racks, which could be used for anything other than bicycle storage. Coin-operated lockers can create maintenance and operation issues.
• DON’T install bicycle parking devices which can be tripped over and could be a hazard to pedestrians and visible impaired.