Bicycle parking system

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Bicycle parking system

A bicycle parking facility (also known as a bicycle parking space , bicycle parking lot or, colloquially, a bicycle stand or bike stand) is a structural facility for storing bicycles . Usually, this is understood to mean an entire system consisting of an arrangement of several bicycle holders (also called bicycle parkers , bicycle parking systems or, colloquially, bicycle racks ) and, if applicable, associated roofing, fencing and access control devices . In some cases, however, a bicycle parking system is only understood to mean the bicycle holder.

Bicycle parking facilities can be found wherever there is a regular need to park bicycles. Examples are apartment buildings, workplaces, train stations, schools, universities, event and sports facilities, shopping facilities and kindergartens, but above all public streets and pedestrian zones.

Some municipalities have issued bicycle parking regulations that set specifications for the capacity and design of parking facilities in construction projects. While this is a matter of course for motor vehicles, such specifications for bicycle traffic are introduced as required by the municipalities. Secure bicycle parking facilities make a significant contribution to promoting bicycle traffic and reducing bicycle theft . They represent an important element in urban development .

history

Since bicycles became a means of mass transport at the beginning of the 20th century, there has been a need for orderly and ( theft ) secure storage of vehicles when users have to park them. An early form was to leave them at the luggage storage after arriving at the train station . In 1911 the Royal Prussian and Grand Ducal Hessian Railway Association felt compelled to record the phenomenon statistically.

conditions

Some basic requirements for bicycle parking systems can be summarized in order to allow safe and convenient use. Practice shows that not all points can always be implemented. In addition to structural conditions and the space available, the investment costs are an important factor. On the other hand, points relevant to utility value are often ignored in favor of a supposedly elegant design or the use of outdated, less practical construction concepts.

Possible requirements for bicycle mounts

  • Parking and unparking, locking and unlocking, loading and unloading of bicycles must be possible without any special expenditure of time and effort, without damaging your own and those that have already been parked. For this purpose, certain minimum side distances between the bicycles must be observed.
  • A bicycle holder must give the bicycle good stability in the parking position. To do this, the bracket must support the bike well (if possible on the frame) and, if possible, protect it securely against it, even if the lock is not in place
    • lateral forces z. B. by wind pressure, accidental bumping, loading the bike
    • Independent rolling out of the final parking position
    • Unintentional turning of the handlebars, especially when the load changes during loading and unloading
  • To protect against theft, the bicycle frame (if possible also a wheel) and the bicycle holder must be able to be securely connected in an easily accessible place with standard bicycle locks . With sufficient lateral distance between the bicycles and a height of at least 40 cm above the floor, comfortable and ergonomic access to the lock can be achieved. It is not sufficient to combine the bicycle (wheel with frame) or just the front wheel with the bicycle holder. Practically all insurance companies require the frame to be attached to a fixed structure.
  • A bicycle holder should guarantee the three aforementioned properties for as many types of bicycle as possible, regardless of bicycle size, frame geometry, tire width and attachments (baskets, locks, drinking bottles, child seats, panniers).

The DIN standard 79008 “Stationary bicycle parking systems” has been in force since May 2016; Part 1 describes the requirements for usability, security and theft protection properties of bicycle parking systems; Part 2 defines the test procedures for this. The choice of materials and their use must be in accordance with DIN 79008-1 in accordance with the applicable European standards. DIN 79008-1 stipulates that metal parts must be adequately protected against atmospheric influences and cathodic corrosion. With regard to the execution, the standard makes specifications with the aim of minimizing the risk of injury to users of the parking systems. So z. B. pointed and sharp-edged components and traps for the head, neck and fingers can be avoided. With regard to the stability and positional security of bicycle parking systems, DIN 79008-1 refers to other regulations such as Eurocode 1 for supporting structures and Eurocode 3 for steel structures. The DIN 79008 is largely derived from the technical guideline TR 6102-0911 "Recommended bicycle parking systems" of the ADFC . The ADFC certification of bicycle mounts is based on this guideline.

Possible requirements for an overall system

  • A bicycle parking facility can be used very differently depending on the season and the weather. Even at peak times, there should always be enough parking spaces.
  • The bicycle parking facility and its entrances should be subject to good social control, so that bicycle thieves can constantly expect disruptions. In case of doubt, it makes sense to install video surveillance .
  • The bicycle parking facility should be as close as possible to the actual destination of the user, which he wants to visit after parking his bicycle (e.g. workplace). Access must be unhindered (at ground level or via ramps / elevator).
  • If bicycles are mostly parked for a long time in a bicycle parking facility, effective roofing against rain and UV weathering is recommended.

Types of bicycle racks

When it comes to bicycle mounts, there are a large number of different designs with very different suitability. First of all, a distinction must be made between individual and row parkers:

  • Individual parkers are used to set up a single or (if both sides set up) a maximum of two bicycles. Each individual parker must be connected separately to the underground, e.g. B. by concreting or dowelling. The user can thus freely choose the mounting distance between the holders.
  • A row parker is understood to be a grouping of several bicycle racks on a common substructure. This means that the side distance between the bicycles is fixed, depending on the model. The installation effort is lower compared to a single parker, since only the substructure has to be connected to the sub-floor or it can do without anchoring to the sub-floor.

Simple front wheel holder

Desk-shaped bracket parker

There are numerous models in the group of simple front wheel holders, but all of them offer the bicycles poor stability and completely inadequate theft protection.

  • The poor stability is due to the fact that these holders only fix the front wheel to some extent either in the vertical axis or in the longitudinal axis , but hardly in the other. With this, even with low lateral forces, there is a great risk that the front wheel will be deformed and receive a side blow that is difficult to repair . For this reason, these models are usually only disparagingly referred to as "rim jammers" or "rim killers" in cycling circles.
  • The theft protection of these models is also inadequate, as the bicycle frame and bicycle holder cannot be connected together. If the parking area is not occupied, the front wheel and bracket can be connected together; However, users usually shy away from this, as it is very inconvenient and later problems may arise when exiting a parking space, if the lock is then hardly accessible when it is densely occupied. Bicycle thieves therefore always have the opportunity in such parking facilities to simply carry away only “self-contained” bicycles or to only have to unclamp the front wheel in order to steal the rest of the bicycle.
A spiral parker offers neither stability nor protection against theft

The simplest design of a front wheel holder is a so-called rim clamp, which clamps the front wheel between two funnel-shaped wire brackets. Most of the time, narrow tires cannot be held in the rim clamps, and very wide tires often do not fit into the opening. Even with medium tire widths, the clamping effect is generally very unreliable - even a slight bump when parking neighboring bicycles can loosen the wheel from the clamp, roll backwards out of the holder and topple over.

So-called bracket parkers, which consist of two parallel round steels or round profiles that are arched, triangular, trapezoidal, gable, desk or M-shaped, are very widespread. Bar parkers are usually offered as a series of systems and include the front wheel at its base.

In addition, there are other models in the group of simple front wheel holders with a higher design value but just as little utility. These include, for example, concrete blocks with a recessed elongated slot into which the front wheel dips a few centimeters and, depending on the tire width, is more or less poorly held. There are also tree trunks with cut-out slots or metal spirals (spiral parkers), in the spaces between which the front wheel is to be parked.

Bicycle-compatible front wheel holder

If a bicycle holder fixes the front wheel equally well in the vertical axis and in the longitudinal axis and also prevents it from rolling out of the parking position, it is a bicycle-friendly front wheel holder. Further useful features are, for example, additional protruding brackets or eyelets in order to be able to connect the bicycle frame and ideally also a wheel to the holder in an easily accessible place.

Leaning bracket

A single parker design that is widespread today is the leaning bracket (similar to a short railing), on which the bicycles can lean at several points (frame, forks and luggage rack) and can also be connected to them. The geometric shapes range from a simple upside-down U-shape to a quadrant and funnel shape to artistic variants with a stylized bicycle. Depending on the mounting distance, the leaning brackets are intended for use on one or both sides.

The simple upside-down U-shape is also called the Vienna temple . If there is an additional cross bar about halfway up, it is a Kreuzberg bracket , which was introduced in this Berlin district in the 1980s.

Depending on the geometric shape, leaning bars offer the bicycles medium to good stability. However, they do not prevent the bike from rolling away - especially on sloping ground and the bike lock has not yet been put on. In addition, when parking on leaning bars, there is a risk that the handlebars suddenly turn over and the bike rotates if it is not caught by the user when the load changes (loading / unloading, loading children in child seats). These effects are particularly pronounced in the so-called Cologne hairpin , which consists of two closely adjacent round posts connected at the top in a U-shape. This design therefore deserves the name leaning post , especially women's frames find it difficult to find a safe parking position.

Rhein-Ruhr -ügel next to a cleared sidewalk

In contrast, these adverse effects are largely prevented with the Rhein-Ruhr bracket , which holds the front wheel in a specially shaped front wheel bay; a slight incline in the ground in the direction of the front wheel bay can increase its function. Likewise advantageous in this respect in Austria under the name PADERA FBS and which have been positively rated by users are leaning brackets with rim clamps on the crossbar for fixing the front wheels, which are connected to one another as a series system.

In the case of leaning brackets, it is also worth taking a critical look at the type of metal profiles used. Sharp-edged square tubes or T-profiles cause higher punctiform loads at the points on the bike than round tubes, which distribute the pressure better and are therefore more gentle on paintwork and suspension forks. They are even more paint-friendly if they are made of smooth, rust-free instead of rough galvanized steel or if they have plastic padding on the typical leaning points.

Inclined parking lot

Inclined parking lot

In the past, so-called inclined parkers were very common, especially at train stations or workplaces, frames in which runner-shaped curved gutter profiles are mounted at an incline of approx. 55 °. The front wheel is set in the channel profile at the top, the rear wheel at the bottom in the skid recess. Elevated parkers are very space-saving, but parking in and out requires some effort; therefore they are not suitable for heavier bicycles and e-bikes, nor for bicycles with wider tires. This design is also disadvantageous with regard to theft protection, since the bicycle cannot be connected to the holder in a reasonable manner.

Pedal Parker

With pedal parkers, the bike is fixed to a pedal crank arm, with a pedal axle between the pedal crank and pedal engaging in an elongated slot in a sturdy sheet steel. This achieves good stability. Additional eyelets or brackets can offer options for connecting the bike and thus provide good protection against theft.

Handlebar bracket

With handlebar brackets, the bicycle is usually lifted onto a rigid handlebar bracket so that the front wheel is then suspended in the air. Some add-on parts on the handlebars such as B. Map holders or handlebar bags can be a hindrance when using handlebar holders. Otherwise, good stability can also be achieved with handlebar brackets and good theft protection can be achieved with the help of additional lugs or brackets.

Hanging or vertical parking

Hanging parking

Hanging parkers are wall or ceiling hooks into which the front wheel rim is hooked so that the bike is then parked in a hanging position. Suspended parkers are a very space-saving solution, but parking in and out of a parking space requires some practice and, in particular, effort. They are therefore disadvantageous for parking heavier bikes and are more likely to be used in the private sector for parking bikes that have not been used for a long time.

However, there are also hanging parkers with a mechanical lifting aid on the market. The bicycle is raised or lowered into the parking position by a lever with the aid of a gas pressure spring without any significant effort. Hanging parkers with a mechanical lifting aid should not be used without instruction or supervision by trained personnel, as pushing up an unloaded lever poses the risk of accidents. These models are therefore suitable for B. for bicycle storage rooms in hotels, where instruction or accompaniment can be ensured.

Carousel parker

Carousel parker

Carousel parkers are a circular arrangement of mostly twelve suspended parkers with a mechanical lifting aid on a rotating metal frame, with gas pressure springs also lifting or lowering the bicycles to the park position without any significant effort. The entire carousel can be rotated like a clothes rack, so that additional maneuvering space is only required from one side to park and leave the bicycles. The restriction also applies to carousel parkers that, in order to avoid accidents, they should not be used without instruction or supervision by trained personnel.

Double-decker

Most bicycle parking garages are now equipped with double-decker parking . The lower parking level is usually equipped with high-quality bicycle racks with space-saving up / down position of the front wheels. In the upper storage level, the bicycle racks are mounted on rails, which can be pulled out a little like a drawer pull-out and then folded down at the front onto the maneuvering surface. The bicycle is adjusted or removed in this inclined position of the rail. Thanks to an integrated gas pressure spring, the rail can be raised and lowered without any significant effort despite the weight of the bike.

Bicycle boxes

For some time now, completely closed bicycle boxes have been available that can be locked like a luggage locker and offer space for one, sometimes two or more bicycles. Other common names are bicycle safe and bicycle garage .

Today, bicycle boxes are increasingly being offered at train stations and public transport stops, where commuters use their bicycles as a feeder and want to park them safely. But they are also used in areas in which bicycle tourists should be offered a lockable storage facility for their bikes and luggage. Some of the boxes do not have their own lock, but are locked by the bike lock that you bring with you.

Mobile bicycle parking systems (advertising stands)

Mobile advertising parker

Shops and smaller service providers often offer their customers a small mobile bicycle parking facility in the immediate vicinity of their shop. They are metal frames (often with advertising space, therefore also referred to as advertising stands) with usually four to six bicycle racks. Often these are simple front wheel holders with the disadvantages described above, but there are also more complex models. Placement on sidewalks and other public areas is usually approved without any problems, depending on the municipality, or even does not require approval, but the systems must be cleared away outside of business hours.

Mobile bicycle parking systems for events

Large events such as festivals, rifle festivals and trade fairs often take place in places where no or very few bicycle parking spaces are required during the rest of the year. There are various solutions to cover such a short-term high space requirement:

  • In many cases, the event visitors are offered simple barriers ( Mannesmann or Luxemburg bars ) as improvised bicycle racks. The front wheels should be parked in the vertical slots in the barriers. With this solution, the bicycles do not get sufficient lateral support from the barriers and must also be stabilized by their own attached bicycle racks . These can easily sink in on soft ground and thus cause a domino-like overturning of numerous wheels with corresponding property damage. This solution is also disadvantageous in terms of theft, since the barriers do not allow the front wheels to be connected or only to be connected, depending on the occupancy density.
  • High-quality mobile bicycle mounts are also available for equipping such events. A well-known model beta foldable consists of three leaning brackets, which are rotatably mounted in a movable floor frame. By moving the floor frame in parallel, the system can be folded flat and easily transported and stored.
  • A recommended solution is the bicycle wardrobe based on the principle of a jacket wardrobe. It is usually a guarded facility with a suspension system made up of further developed triathlon stands, in which the wheels at the tip of the saddle are fixed to a light metal tube, the second point of contact is the front wheel on the ground.

Children's bike mounts

Children's bike parker

There are also some bicycle mounts on the market especially for children's bicycles, which are more appealing to children due to their multicolored paintwork. B. to be used in kindergartens. Often these are front wheel holders with the disadvantages described above, but lean-on brackets for children's bicycles can also be found on the market.

Promotion of bicycle parking

Bad bicycle parking conditions cause a high level of economic and ecological damage

  • Bicycle thefts
  • Unintentional or willful damage to bicycles
  • Accelerated aging of bicycles due to lack of protection from the elements
  • Inadequate bicycle mobility under insufficient conditions

Nevertheless, with a few exceptions, the bicycle parking conditions in many places, both public and private, rarely comply with the recommendations. The reasons for this are rarely a lack of financial resources, but often also unwillingness or lack of information on the part of planners and operators of bicycle parking facilities. But many users have also come to terms with the largely poor standard and are therefore not very committed to improvements in their environment. There are a number of funding programs and initiatives to remedy this.

State funding programs

In Germany there are a large number of funding opportunities and funding programs at federal, state or regional level. One example of this is the BMUB funding program for investive climate protection measures, which runs until the end of September 2017 . a. the construction of good bicycle parking facilities at day-care centers, schools and youth leisure facilities is promoted. A good overview of all currently usable funding opportunities is provided by the funding guide for cycling as part of the National Cycling Plan.

There are comparable programs in Austria, for example the funding campaign for the renovation of bicycle parking by the Ministry for a Livable Austria has been extended until December 31, 2016.

Other initiatives

The most extensive range of information on bicycle parking can be found at the ADFC, but many state and local authorities and the AGFS also offer their own information material on the subject. The publications of the FGSV have a normative character and are only available for a fee.

Many local ADFC groups are also trying to get the topic moving through investigations and public presentations of the current situation on site. Private initiatives such as Radregion38 also follow the path of such studies and benchmarks.

Very concrete instruments are also the opportunities for employers and companies to be certified as a bicycle-friendly company in a way that promotes their image . The focus is on the possibilities for parking bicycles, but also other aspects of operational bicycle-friendliness. Such seals are offered as ADFC seals and as a FAHRRAD-fit company from BAUM eV

photos

Norms and standards

Web links

Commons : Bicycle Parking  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. Eisenbahndirektion Mainz (ed.): Official Journal of the Royal Prussian and Grand Ducal Hessian Railway Directorate in Mainz of February 11, 1911, No. 6. Announcement No. 103, p. 43.
  2. Technical guideline TR 6102-0911 "Recommended bicycle parking systems" adfc.de ( Memento of the original from January 11, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (PDF). @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.adfc.de
  3. Senate Department for Urban Development & Communication (ed.): Bicycle parking in Berlin - guidelines for planning. 2008 ( Memento of the original from April 17, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (PDF; 8.1 MB). @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.stadtentwicklung.berlin.de
  4. Radland Steiermark: Parking systems in the everyday test ( memento of the original from January 11, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.radland.steiermark.at
  5. klimaschutz.de klimaschutz.de ( Memento of the original from January 11, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (PDF). @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.klimaschutz.de
  6. national-radverkehrsplan.de
  7. Umweltfoerderung.at ( Memento of the original from January 11, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.umweltfoerderung.at
  8. ADFC Giessen adfc-giessen.de (PDF)
  9. ADFC Kempten: adfc-kempten.de (PDF)
  10. radregion38.de
  11. ADFC: fahrradfreundlicher-arbeitgeber.de
  12. fahrrad-fit.de