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Bike lockers: The right bike parking for your site
August 16, 2017
Keep your bicycles safe from thieves—and other threats you may not have considered
Because of the health benefits and cost savings it provides, cycling continues to grow as a form of transportation. But as the number commuters who cycle increases, so too does the demand for secure bike parking. Providing safe options will increase traffic to your location, but there are a lot of considerations to make when choosing what form is right for your building. Whether you are managing a business park, apartment complex, or office tower, you must recognize the vulnerabilities present at your site. There are more threats than just thieves out there, and in many situations, providing the optimal level of security will require more than a traditional bike rack can offer.
When deciding on the appropriate level of bike security required, the first questions that should be asked are how long the bikes need to be stored for and how frequently they will have eyes on them. These two questions address the two potential threats to bicycle security most commonly forgotten when deciding what type of bike storage unit to install: the elements and vandalism.
Damp weather can quickly wear at a bike’s mechanisms and finish, and bikes stored in areas not regularly frequented are not only more likely stolen but also defaced. This means in high-traffic areas where bicycles are only secured for a few minutes at a time, like a store front, a traditional bike rack will provide an adequate level of security. But in isolated areas where bicycles are stored for long periods of time out of public view, such as schools, gyms, transit terminals, and theatres, a higher level of protection is recommended.
The wedge-shaped design allows individual bike locker units to fit together easily.
A fully enclosed bike parking infrastructure is best for these settings; bike lockers offer the optimal level of security. A bike locker is a compact and durable storage unit with box-like construction that prohibits contact from would-be thieves and vandals. Bike lockers can be considered “mini garages” for bicycles and they providepeace of mind in ways a standard bike rack cannot. Many models are also designed to prevent moisture entering. Most models feature a solid door-locking mechanism and feature enough room to protect additional equipment such as helmets, lights, water bottles, and pannier bags.
While bike lockers have been popular in urban cities across Europe and parts of Asia for some time, the market has just started to grow in North America. Bike lockers are now available in many designs, ranging from the rectangular box-type, to the triangle-shaped type, where the widest part accommodates the bicycle’s handlebars. Many designs also feature components that allow multiple lockers to be formed into a modular arrangement.
Installation requires very little in terms of mechanical ability, and if a concrete base or footing is available, it can usually be completed within minutes. Bike lockers are generally held in place with washers and bolts that pass through the locker’s floor and into a concrete anchor that sits in a hole drilled into the concrete base or footing. In most cases, all that is required to secure a bike locker is a drill with masonry bit and a wrench to tighten the lug bolts. Bike locker maintenance is also very easy. Polyethylene units can endure any weather nature throws their way with minimal wear-and-tear to the bike locker. Both plastic and powder-coated metal units can usually be cleaned with only warm soap and water.
Bike lockers are not only good for people and the environment, but they are good for business. They do require a more substantial initial investment than traditional bike racks, but the peace-of-mind security they provide also attracts the business cyclists. Some facility managers have even offset the initial purchase cost of bike lockers by renting the units.
These low-maintenance bicycle lockers are made with low-density durable polyethylene.
As the urban landscape changes and an increasing number of urbanites eschew driving a vehicle in favour of a bicycle, the demand for storage solutions that are both weather and vandal proof will continue to grow. Traditional racks may be the right solution for many applications but many vulnerable areas require the increased level of protection that can only be provided by bike lockers. Keeping building occupants happy, easing vehicle parking demand, and preventing property damage will require the correct decision by facility managers.
Company: 
Reliance Foundry Co. Ltd.
Product: Bike Parking > Bike Lockers
Source: http://www.reliance-foundry.com/
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