Bicycle Racks and Parking

Acceptable bicycle parking will allow the user to lock their bike securely and will support the bicycle frame at two locations. Huntco The City of Portland “Staple” Bike Rack is Vancouver City Code approved with an internal cable and flat bar for extra security. Other staple bicycle racks or Inverted “U” bicycle racks and Hoop and Post-style bicycle racks also meet Vancouver Municipal Code. All bicycle racks must:

• Support a bicycle frame at two points to keep a locked bicycle in an upright position;
• Have a minimum height of 32 inches;
• Be intuitive for first-time users;
• Allow the bicycle to be locked with a U-lock through the frame and at least one wheel; and
• Be securely installed with tamper-proof hardware to prevent removal by thieves.

Acceptable Bicycle Racks

The following styles of bicycle racks may be used for short-term and long-term bicycle storage. Long-term bicycle storage must be in an access-controlled room or building, or in a location within view of residents and/or employees at all times.

Unacceptable Bicycle Racks

The following styles of bicycle racks do not meet City requirements and are not recommended. The City will not install these rack types in the public right-of-way.

The City of Vancouver installs short-term bicycle racks in the public right-of-way. If you are installing a bicycle rack on private property, City approval is not required, but the City recommends the following guidelines:

• Concrete is the best surface for installing bicycle parking, although in-ground mounting can be done on other surfaces.
• If installing on asphalt, it is recommended to use tamper-resistant anchor techniques specific to asphalt to prevent removal or theft.
• Use tamper-resistant fasteners.

The following minimum spacing requirements apply to some common installations of fixtures like staples, inverted-U, or post-and-ring racks that park one bicycle roughly centered on each side of the racks. Recommended clearances are given first, with recommended spacing in parentheses. The length of a typical bicycle is 70”. Cargo bikes and bikes with trailers can extend to 120” or longer.

Short-term bicycle parking facilities include bicycle parking that is convenient, easily accessible, and within 50 feet of the main entrance to the building for bicycles parked 2 hours or less in one location. Short-term bike parking is normally provided by bicycle racks or corrals. Short-term bicycle parking should be usable for people of all ages and abilities and adhere to the following best practices:

• A user should not need to travel up or down stairs to reach bike parking facilities;
• All racks should be able to support the bicycle at two points so that the bicycle will not fall;
• All racks should allow a user to lock the frame and one wheel of the bicycle to the rack with a high security, U-shaped lock;
• Bicycle parking should be visible to the public and ideally visible from within the destination;
• Bicycle parking should be well-lit for use outside of daylight hours and for added security;
• Weather protected bicycle parking makes bicycle transportation more viable for daily and year-round use; and
• Where possible, include bicycle parking that allows for bicycles with a larger footprint (3’ x 10’), such as cargo bikes and bikes with trailers or trail-a-bikes.

Types of Short-Term Bicycle Parking

Standard bicycle racks on public property

• Definition: City-owned bicycle racks located in the public right-of-way (ROW) that are installed by the City of Vancouver as a public amenity.
• Businesses and property owners may submit a form to have a standard bicycle rack installed in the ROW near their property. These racks are provided at no cost to the businesses or the property owner. City staff work with representatives from the business or property owner to determine rack location. Note that all suggestions are vetted by staff and installation is subject to availability.

Bicycle racks on private property

• Definition: Privately-owned, installed and maintained bicycle racks that are located on private property.
• Privately-owned bicycle racks that are located on private property do not require a permit to install.
• Prior to installing, owners should consult the Installation and Layout/Placement Recommendations above.

On-street bicycle corrals or clusters

• Definition: A group of City-owned bicycle racks located in the public right-of-way (ROW) that are installed and maintained by the City of Vancouver.
• Contains multiple racks, normally placed in the roadway in place of a vehicle parking space and are in areas with greater demand than what can be accommodated on the sidewalk.
• Businesses with high demand for short-term bicycle parking should contact bikeparking@cityofvancouver.us to see if corrals are feasible at their location. Please see the form for more information.

Long-term bicycle parking should be located within an access-controlled room or enclosure or in a bicycle locker. Users of long-term bicycle parking generally value security and weather protection that let them park their bikes for several hours or longer without unreasonable concern for loss or damage. Long-term bicycle parking should be usable for people of all ages and abilities and adhere to the following best practices:

• At least some of the spaces should be at ground-level or on the lower rack of a stacked bicycle parking rack;
• Two-tier racks should have lift assistance for upper-tier parking;
• Ensure a pedestrian path width of at least 5 feet to allow proper access to each parking space;
• All routes to the bicycle parking location and parking spaces should be well-lit so that it can be used at night;
• Where possible, include bicycle parking that allows for bicycles with a larger footprint (3’ x 10’), such as cargo bikes and bikes with trailers or trail-a-bikes;
• Provide access to electrical outlets for at least some of the parking spaces; and
• Locker rooms and shower facilities are recommended if bike storage is primarily used by commuters.

Please note that adding long-term bicycle storage may require a building permit if it involves certain updates, including but not limited to changes to electrical systems, new framing, or constructing a free-standing building. Visit the City’s Building and Permitting Services website for more information.

Types of long-Term bicycle parking

Bicycle lockers

• Bicycle lockers are locked enclosures for one bicycle that utilize either an on-demand key card access or a single-user key.
• Most bicycle lockers are privately owned, installed and maintained, although the City of Vancouver does have multiple bicycle lockers located throughout downtown for public use. Visit bikelink.org/map to view bike locker locations.

Bicycle cages

• Bicycle cages are typically located in a parking garage, but they can be free standing as well. If the bicycle cage is free-standing, it should be covered and well-lit.
• Access is controlled through an on-demand key card, a single-user key, or code access.

Bicycle rooms

• Bicycle rooms are typically located within an office or multifamily housing building.
• Access is controlled through an on-demand key card, a single-user key, or code access.
• Bicycle rooms may include lockers, changing rooms, and/or showers, if primarily used by commuters.

Monitored bicycle parking

• Temporary monitored bicycle parking may be provided by permanent or temporary bike racks that are set up for large public events to provide active transportation options for attendees.
• Permanent monitored bicycle parking is sometimes used in locations with many bicycle commuters.
• The monitored bicycle parking area is typically located in an enclosed area with one point of entry.
• There should always be an attendant present at the point of entry for security and assistance to those using the bike parking area.
• Monitored bicycle parking can be provided for free or for a fee, depending on the organization providing the bicycle parking.