Where to put bike racks:
- bike racks should be located at parkland entrances, popular gathering and activity hubs (such as playgrounds, skate parks, sports fields and barbecue areas) and converging paths
- place bike racks 500mm (minimum) back from kerbs when located on footpaths next to parks, to avoid bikes being knocked by vehicles
- consider incorporating bike exchanges into civic spaces
- co-locate (cluster) furniture to avoid clutter
- consider placing bike racks in lieu of bollards to restrict vehicle movement and minimise clutter
Ensure access and usability by:
- adjoining bike racks and cycle paths and at locations where cycle users are likely or required to leave their bikes
- installing bike racks on a concrete pad or hard surface to cater for the wearing of the surface beneath
- ensuring that water drains away from bike racks, and that they are free from ponded surface water
- providing a wider range of bike facilities, including bike pumps and bike barometers along well used cycleway networks
Ensure safety and visibility by:
- positioning bike racks to minimise hazard and error, e.g. out of the line of travel to assist the blind and partially sighted
- ensuring concrete footings or connections to the ground are flush with ground level to avoid becoming a tripping hazard
- ensuring the design provides a high level of security for bicycles
Ensure good aesthetics and the right materials by:
- constructing bike racks from stainless steel in coastal environments. The grade of stainless steel should suit the particular environment
- selecting materials, colours, and forms that complement the setting and function of the park as a whole, when designing bespoke bike racks. Review the design with cycle groups to ensure good functionality
- selecting bike racks and associated materials for robustness and durability, and therefore long term sustainability
- considering whether the scale of the bike racks is appropriate for the location
- using graffiti protection and standardised components to reduce maintenance costs, and considering the use of enclosed and reinforced fittings to mitigate theft
- seeking uniformity and consistency in bike rack type throughout the park
- using recycled concrete or aggregate instead of concrete as a base
- considering the resourceful manufacture of the bike rack elements, including ease of supply and life expectancy
- exploring the use of recycled materials or the reuse of existing elements to form these structures
- Selecting bike racks with a minimum serviceable life of 15-20 years
Ensure easy maintenance by:
- ensuring all bike racks have components, materials and finishes that can be serviced by New Zealand based contractors