So you’ve decided to install a commercial bike rack on your grounds. Congratulations! It’s important that we inspire as many people as possible to get involved with green transportation, and encouraging bike riding is a great way to do this! So now that you’ve decided that you’d like a commercial bike rack, what’s next?
There are multiple types of bike racks available out there to choose from. It all depends on what sort of storage you’d like to provide (long term or short term?), what sort of surface you’ve got to work with, how much room you can dedicate to racks, how many bikes you’d like to accommodate, and what sort of look you’re after.
Here are the three main areas you’ll need to look at when purchasing your bike racks.
Mounts
Believe it or not, there are many different types of mounts available to choose from. In-ground mounts are the most secure way of attaching your bike racks, but there are also surface mounts, gusset mounts (a type of reinforced surface mount), rail mounts, and wall mounts – for if you’d like your like to affix your bike rack to a wall to save floor space.
Finishes
The finish that you choose is a completely personal choice. You might choose a finish that blends in with the surrounding area, or you might choose a finish that really stands out. Each has different properties too. Finishes for bike racks include stainless steel, e-Steel (an epoxy coated steel), recycled plastic, galvanized, powder-coated, and thermoplastic coated.
Configurations
What do you want your bike racks to look like? How will they fit in with the surrounding area? How many bikes will fit? This is where configurations come in. You can choose from the popular inverted ‘U’ racks, wavy racks, bollard racks for just two bikes, traditional grid racks, like you usually will see in school yards, plus all sorts of innovatively designed racks for extra security and space saving, and decorative arty style racks – which are perfect in a modern setting.
What kind of bike rack will you choose?
As you can see there are a lot of options to choose from when choosing a bike rack! Always think first about what is going to be the best fit and look for your space and how many bikes you’d like to accommodate. Once your options are whittled down, it will make it easier to choose the best bike rack for your given set of circumstances and install the appropriate commercial site amenities for your needs.