4 Factors You Shouldn’t Forget When Designing Your Bike Room
The expectations for bike parking have raised in recent years – and for good reason. With corporations focused on attracting the best employees, and residential spaces seeking modern ways to stand out – a sleek bike parking facility is the focused amenity of 2023. As people look towards sustainability and well-being as a priority in post-pandemic life, the days of dingy bike parking in a basement corner are out, and posh multi-purpose spaces are in.
Sportworks is passionate about bringing functionality and quality design together, helping you build a bike room that people look forward to using without sacrificing accessibility, practicality, or high quality. Equally important to technical details is the way the space looks and feels – that the bike room is welcoming, comfortable, and has meaningful attributes that lend to a great user experience. Here are the top 4 factors you don't want to forget when designing a bike room that is functional, beautiful, and designed to last.
Bike rooms can (and should) provide more than just storage for bikes! Integrating bike parking into a multi-purpose space can increase the efficiency of space use, and be a great welcoming place for errands, work, and play that can promote community engagement. For residential spaces, consider co-locating the bike parking with other services, like mailboxes or package lockers. A recreational area with ping pong tables also pairs well. For the more business-minded clientele, a lounge area suitable for meetings and workspace can make for a great functional area. These concepts are great for corporate locations as well, but keep in mind that office commuters will also benefit from additional amenities to transition from cycling to their office areas. Lockers for helmets and gear, shower facilities, and amenities like boot dryers can elevate a space to luxurious status for a bicycle commuter.
Before you start putting together the bike room, consider the walls' material and the type of racks you are planning for. If a drywall painted surface and vertical racks are in the plans, be sure to select a vertical rack with a crossbar to support the bike wheels; such as a Floor-Mount Vertical. Otherwise, those painted walls will be met with dirt, grime, and rubber tire marks, ruining the aesthetic and causing a maintenance nightmare if those bicycle wheels happen to be wet. If you like the sleek look of Wall-Mount Vertical racks, pair them with a durable wall treatment like recycled rubber. This type of surface will not only resist water and dirt but give cyclists a slight bounce to the surface and further peace of mind for building owners as they won’t be concerned about denting or scratching the wall. The variety of speckled designs, unique colors, and use of recycled materials can also add some personality to the room!
Sold on or already working with a drywall treatment? Our Vertical Floor Mount bike rack is the most space-efficient option for high-density parking and like the Wall Mount Vertical, includes the optional No Scratch Bumper to protect bikes when loading and unloading, without wheels leaning on and potentially damaging the wall.
When it comes to layout and spacing, it’s important to ensure there is proper clearance to keep the space looking nice over time. Be sure to plan for plenty of room between racks so that cyclists can maneuver their bikes without the concern of causing damage by bumping their handlebars, pedals, or other attachments into the wall, furniture, or other people parking their bikes simultaneously. Bikes come in all shapes and sizes, so factoring in buffer room, ramps, and preventing potential barriers will allow cyclists to park with ease even during high-traffic times of the day. Spacious walkways, clear paths, and ADA-Compliant racks result in a positive experience for cyclists of all abilities sharing the space. Take a look at three unique bike rooms that demonstrate a variety of layouts, rack types, and number of spaces available in our Art of Bike Room Design blog post for inspiration.
So, what makes an attractive environment? Welcome cyclists into the room with bright lighting, space to prep equipment, and comfortable chairs, turning your space into a bike room-lounge hybrid. Unique wall treatments can also enhance the acoustics of a crowded multi-purpose space, giving it a more overall friendly and cozy feel. Some other things to consider include wall graphics or art to bring life into the room, storage space for bike gear, and amenities like a bike repair stand, floor pump, washing station, or E-bike charging station. Differentiating a space is all in the details.