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UpLift Bike Docks, a Sustainable Sites project available from The Park Catalog, now offers a solution to a major problem faced by many cities and universities today.

Bicycle commuting is on the rise. According to the League of American Bicyclists, since 2000 the number of people commuting by bicycle in the US has grown by a whopping 62%.

In some cities like Portland, nearly 6% of residents commute by bicycle. That amount skyrocketed by 234% from 2000 to 2013. The same trend is taking place in just about every major city in the US.

UpLift Bike Docks will revolutionize bicycle parking on campuses and in citie

The question is, where are all those commuters going to park their bicycles? Especially in cities and universities where space is extremely limited and at a premium price.

The Park and Facilities Catalog has an answer. It is a newly designed bicycle parking rack manufactured by Sustainable Sites called the UpLift Bike Dock.

The unique, space-saving design of this bike dock was developed by experts with many years in the field of bicycle parking, created specifically to address the challenge of bicycle parking density faced by architects and planners today.

"Bicycle commuting, especially on college campuses and in cities is on a swift and steady rise," said Chris Luyet, Co-Inventor and Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "A large number of planners and architects have taken notice of this trend, as well as civic leaders, and it has become apparent that cities and building projects will need more bicycle parking as this trend continues to grow. We believe it is imperative we reward and encourage ridership through an infrastructure that screams RIDE, and we believe we have built just that."

As bike commuting continues to boom, particularly with Millenials, urban planners have to find a better and more efficient way to park all those bicycles.

How to lock a bicycle to an UpLift Bike Doc

Current bicycle parking products are not that efficient spatially. Most have a loosely defined footprint, meaning bicyclists can lock their bicycles in a number of different ways. This results in disorganization, with bicycles falling, sticking out or getting in the way of pedestrians.

Theft is also a major concern. Bike thieves have gotten better at stealing bicycles. The FBI estimates nearly 1 million bicycles are stolen every year.

Bicycles today are also more expensive. No rider wants to lock their $1000 bicycle in a place where other bicycles can topple and scratch the finish or create other damage.

Why UpLift Bike Docks are a game changer in bicycle parking

Here are the features provided by UpLift Bike Docks to address these pressing issues:

UpLift Bike Dock illustratio

Wheel Troughs and Locking Arms - with the UpLift Bike Dock, the bicycle parking points are clearly defined. To start, a bicyclist must load the front wheel into a rectangular wheel which keeps the bike pointed forward in a straight line.

Then higher up on the metal frame, the bicycle is secured to a sturdy, case hardened locking arm. A U-lock is passed through the arm to both the bike frame and front wheel. This keeps the bike upright and steadfast. There is no toppling, or locking the bike in different positions.

Those three points of contact are recommended by the experts at the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals for truly secure bicycle parking.

Staggered Bicycle Parking - each UpLift Bike Dock can accommodate two bicycles. To save on space, the second wheel through is elevated, so another bicycle can be added alongside without the handlebars conflicting with each other. This format really maximizes the amount of space used.

The bike dock itself only takes up 15.5 inches wide by 18 inches long. Add the fact that you have a bicycle held rigidly upright on a 38-inch high frame and a planner can see the spatial advantages of this product. This dock layout is meant to be modular, so additional racks can be placed next to each other or arranged in a different configurations to conform to the space available.

"We believe the small footprint of this bike dock allows for the highest density per square foot in the industry today," Luyet said.

Two bikes take up less space on UpLift Bike Dock

To alleviate congestion and pollution, more cities are promoting bicycling as an alternative means of transportation. It is certainly much cheaper to build a bike lane than to expand a highway or build a subway line. The position of bicycle transportation engineers has been created in many municipalities to address this issue.

Universities and colleges always have issues with parking. They constantly need solutions that help students find places to park their bicycles that are safe for them and their bikes.

Bike racks must evolve to accommodate this ever-expanding base of bike commuters. Planners need products that are the most efficient in their use of precious real estate. With its unique, space-saving design, UpLift Bike Docks now meet those demands.

 

Illlustration shows the staggered wheel troughs on the UpLift which can accomodate more bikes per square foot than conventional outdoor bike racks