A low-profile bike rack is just one of the many different types of Commercial Bike Racks offered by The Park and Facilities Catalog

Commercial Bike Racks are not all the same and different products are best suited for different situations.

Take the low-profile grid rack at a vacation property in Hilton Head, SC.

This commercial bike rack was installed near one of the pools at the community.

They chose this smaller type of commercial bike rack for a reason - to be unobtrusive.

"We wanted a low-profile rack so it does not distract from the natural beauty of the property," said Lisa Newton of Island Management. "We really like the bike rack. It keeps the bikes neat and organized."

These bike racks are made with galvanized metal for years of protection against the weather and sun. The pre-assembled hoops are half-inch diameter steel. The assembly fasteners point toward the ground so the nuts and bolts are hidden from the inside base angle to deter theft.

The single-sided model holds six bikes. The double-sided twice as many.

Commercial Bike Racks come in many variations

Wave Bike Rack

Different commercial bike racks are best suited for different environments.

One way to determine is to look at the bike parking and security requirements.

For this reason, there are basically two classes designated for commercial bike racks.

Class II

We'll start with this category because it is the more common one. Class II commercial bike racks are considered for short-term parking. That is generally for a time frame of two to six hours. The low-profile bike racks fit in this category. Other styles are large Grid, Wave, Bollard, and Inverted-U shaped racks.

With these outdoor bike racks, it is recommended that a U-lock type of bike lock be used. With the taller bike racks, such as the Wave bike racks, the U-Lock is inserted through the frame, the front wheel, and the metal bike rack.

This provides three points of locking contact which is recommended by organizations such as the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals.

Class I

This is the category for longer time frames for bicycle parking. Generally, that means a situation where a bicycle will be parked overnight or for more than 24 hours.

The best solution for this long-term scenario is indoor bicycle parking either in a bike room or a secured, fenced-in area.

For bike rooms, vertical bike racks that stand upright are recommended because they maximize the use of space, which is generally limited. Another option is for double-decker bike racks, which basically stores bikes at two levels.

Bike lockers are growing in popularity both indoors and outdoors. Some cities now provide these super-secure enclosed boxes at train stations and other key locations. It's also a way to generate revenue as many cities charge a monthly fee for this extra security for a bicycle.

The Hilton Head low-profile bike racks serve the purpose for that location. Cyclists can easily pedal down to the pool and security is not a major concern. Those low-profile bike racks would not work as well on a city street for example. That's because they can't be locked with a U-lock that would secure the frame and the front wheel. Also, at high-traffic places like urban areas or college campuses, you find bikes falling down and knocking over other bicycles. A taller bike rack, such as a wave bike rack, keeps a bicycle upright and is better suited for those busy locations.

Whatever your situation, adding outdoor bike racks is a smart decision.

More outdoor bicycle racks accommodate cyclists and help save the planet

More Americans own bicycles today than ever before.

According to Statista, the number of cyclists in the US has increased from 43 million in 2014 to 47.5 million in 2017.

The number of Americans who prefer to bicycle to a location instead of driving continues to grow. The League of American Bicyclists reported a 43% increase in the number of bicycle commuters in major cities over a ten-year period.

Riding a bicycle as an alternative means of transportation has several benefits to a community. Cyclists help to reduce traffic congestion and pollution. And, they live healthier lives which reduces medical costs and care.

Since 2001, The Park and Facilities Catalog serves as a major supplier of commercial bike racks to schools, office buildings, retail centers, colleges, multi-family communities and other facilities all across the US.

Whatever your needs, call the expert staff at The Park and Facilities Catalog. We will help you find the right outdoor bike racks for your location and how to best maximize bicycle parking density for the space allotted.