Bike trips usually begin and end in homes heading to work and education, and often include stops along the way at commercial and leisure destinations. To cater for the growing number of trips by bike, bike parking and end of trip facilities must be included in district plans, public policy and planning best practice.
In this section:
Planning principles
The following principles should be reflected in district plans.
- Minimum requirements should be consistent with city or regional targets for cycle mode use. Where local targets do not exist, a general target of 10% in urban areas can be used.
- Cycle parking supply rates minimums could be prescribed based on similar variables as car parking rates, i.e. if car parking rates are based on GLFA then cycle parking rates should also be based on this.
- Separate staff/resident and visitor cycle parking supply rates and facilities are required and reflect the different needs of short stay/long stay users.
- End of trip facilities for staff should include supply ratios for showers and lockers, with an allowance for use by non-cycling staff. Drying facilities should also be strongly encouraged.
- Residential developments which are/were subject to car parking requirements should also be subject to bike parking requirements for both residents and visitors. Ideally minimum car parking requirements should be replaced 1:1 with minimum bike parking requirements.
- Where a residential development excludes onsite car parking, on-site bike parking for residents and visitors should be required.
- If minimum rates cannot be met on site, cash developer contributions to council to fund public provisioning should be considered in the order of $500 – $1000 per bicycle parking space.
End of Trip Facilities
End of trip facilities are the provision made at the destination to support and encourage cycling to that destination. End of trip facilities comprise of bike parking and complimentary facilities. Showers, lockers and other amenities are complementary facilities. In order to provide a minimum level of amenity both quantity and type of end of trip facilities are discussed herein. It should be noted that in most workplaces complementary facilities will be used by non-cycling staff who are engaging in vigorous physical activity at lunchtime, e.g. jogging or sport.
Supply Rates for Provision of End of Trip Facilities
The follow are recommended minimum rates of supply. NLA is Net Leasable Area.
Staff Cycle Parking
Secure bicycle storage for at least 10% of building staff (based on one person per 15m2 of NLA);
Visitor Cycle Parking
One space per 750m2 NLA or part thereof
Residential Cycle Parking
At least 1 secure cycle park per residential unit
Showers
Accessible Showers (based on 1 per 10 bicycle spaces provided or part thereof); including separate, adjacent and private changing areas.
There should be a minimum of 2 showers in any workplace with more than 10 staff.
Lockers
1.2 Lockers per cycle parking space, (includes allowance for non cycling users), rounded up to nearest whole locker.
Locker minimum dimensions: height 85 centimetres, depth 45 centimetres, width 20 centimetres
Lockers should be:
- Well ventilated, secure and lockable; and
- Located close to shower and change facilities
Additional complementary facilities
Workplace cycling can be encouraged by providing additional facilities such as:
- Drying facilities (dryers or clotheslines / rails) for towels, shoes and wet gear
- Hair dryers and straighteners
- Complimentary soap and shampoo
- Towel service
- Iron & ironing board
- Tools and pump, bicycle repair stand
- Visiting bicycle mechanic
- Loan bikes
- Noticeboard for people who bike
- eBike charging
Additional resources for complementary facilities planning
The Austroads guide provides a great many examples of end of trip facilities and practical advice.
The NZTA Workplace Cycling Guide also contains useful suggestions.
bikeswelcome.org 