Bicycle Parking Rules and Regulations for the City of Denver
I finally keystroked our Bike Parking Regs.
See if this can provide you with some fun in your home town.
- James Mackay, City of Denver Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator,
30 March 1995
Section 59-582(e) of the Denver Revised Municipal Code provides for the
adoption of rules and regulations establishing the dimensional and equipment
standards for bicycle parking areas by the Director of Planning as follows:
(e) Parking for bicycles.
For proposed nonresidential uses having an off-street parking requirement of
twenty (20) spaces or more, a number of off -street bicycle parking spaces
shall be provided equal to five (5) percent of the automobile parking space
requirement. Subject to approval by the transportation office of the proposed
parking area design, location and security features, required automobile
parking spaces may be reduced at the ratio of one (1) automobile space for
each six (6) bicycle spaces provided, except that under no circumstances may
the required number be reduced by more than five (5) percent.
The director of planning shall adopt rules and regulations establishing the
dimensional and equipment standards for bicycle parking areas. The following
rules and regulations establishing the dimensional and equipment standards
for bicycle parking areas are based on Section 59-582(e) of the Denver
Revised Municipal Code and on the recommendations contained in the document
titled "1993 Denver Bicycle Master Plan" which was approved by City Council
as an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan by Ordinance No. 498, Series of
1993.
Rules and Regulations Establishing the Dimensional
and Equipment Standards for Bicycle Parking Areas
I. Objectives for Bicycle Parking Areas.
1) To encourage the use of bicycles for personal transportation as an
alternative to motor vehicles.
2) To provide for bicycle access to employment, commercial, and other
transportation and travel destinations.
II. Bicycle Parking Standards.
Per the 1993 Denver Bicycle Master Plan, the "Inverted U" type bike rack (or
equivalent) is the recommended bicycle parking rack. This rack is the first
choice for all applications.
III. Required Provision of Bicycle Parking Areas.
For proposed non-residential sites having an off-street parking requirement
of twenty (20) spaces or more, a number of off-street bicycle parking spaces
shall be provided equal to five (5) percent of the automobile parking space
requirement. Each inverted U provided will count as two (2) bicycle parking
spaces.
Subject to the approval by the Transportation Office of the proposed parking
area design, location and security features, required automobile parking
spaces may be reduced at the ratio of one (1) automobile parking space for
each six (6) bicycle parking spaces provided, except that under no
circumstances may the required number be reduced by more than five (5)
percent.
IV. Description - The "Inverted U" Type Bicycle Rack.
Inverted U bike racks shall consist of three to five inverted U's mounted 30"
on-center via baseplate rails to create a free-standing array. The inverted
U's shall be made from 1 1/2" 11 gauge steel tubing bent to measure 33" high,
18" wide (minimum dimensions) with a gloss black polyester powdercoat finish
(or approved equal). The rails shall be 2" by 1" rectangular steel tubing
similarly finished with mounting holes and supplied with vandal resistant
concrete anchor mounting hardware for surface installation to existing
concrete.
Each U shall be mounted to the rails via vandal resistant or hidden fasteners
which preclude the dismantling of the rack once assembled and installed. In
some situations, individual "U's" may be preferable to a baseplate array
assembly of "U's," i.e., installed parallel to and behind the curb in
business districts where sidewalk space is limited.
V. Description - Individual "Inverted U" (Non -baseplate Array) Alternate.
Individual U's to be surface mounted directly to existing concrete shall have
a pair 6 3/4" x 2" steel baseplates (minimum dimensions) with two bolt holes
each.
VI. Location of Bicycle Parking Racks.
Whenever possible, the racks should be placed within 50' of building
entrances where bicyclists would naturally transition to pedestrian mode.
The rack placement would ideally allow for visual monitoring by people
within the building and/or people entering the building. The placement of
the racks should minimize conflicts with both pedestrians and motorized
traffic. All bicycle parking provided should be on concrete, and located a
minimum of 24" from a parallel wall, and 30" from a perpendicular wall (as
measured to the closet inverted
VII. Use of Alternative (Non -inverted U) Bicycle Parking Racks.
As stated above, the Inverted U is the first choice for all applications.
At the discretion of the City Bicycle and Pedestrian Planner, other bicycle
security devices may be approved for use in unusual circumstances. Any such
alternate security device submitted for approval must provide for:
- Supporting the bike frame at two locations (not just a wheel);
- Allowing both the frame and at least one wheel to be locked to the rack;
- Allowing the use of either a cable or "U-type" lock;
- Bicycles which are equipped with water bottle cages;
- Bicycles which are not equipped with kickstands; and
- All types and sizes of bicycles, including various types and sizes of
frames, wheel sizes, and tire widths
VIII. Bicycle Parking Lockers.
Bicycle parking lockers are specifically encouraged for assigned use by
employees and bicycle commuters. Bicycle parking capacity provided via
lockers will be considered as being in compliance with these rules.
For More infomation, contact James Mackay, Denver Bicycle and Pedestrian
Planner, Mackaybike@aol.com
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