Park a Bike - Bike Corrals

Enjoy Cycling With LED Bike Lights

2014-02-16T11:14:00.000-08:00

Staying Safe While Cycling Using LED Bike Lights

All cyclists know how important LED bike lights are at night. They provide practical safety benefits, while also giving cyclists the ability to see where they're going in the dark. Cycling is experiencing a real boost in the UK at present, riding the wave of recent sporting successes. If you've been motivated to start peddling as a result of the UK's golden summer, it's important to ensure you have the correct equipment, and understand how to keep yourself safe when out on Britain's roads and trails.

The Recent Cycling Boom

As Bradley Wiggins rode down the Champs to win the 2012 Tour de France, few could have predicted the impact it would have on the nation. When that unprecedented success was followed by a stream of British gold medal just day later in the London velodrome, the nation was hooked by cycling. A report compiled by British Cycling highlights what they call the 'Cycling Effect,' which has seen a dramatic increase in bicycle sales and led to an uptake in participation across the country. The report showed that the summer games had a tangible effect on how motivated individuals felt to get out and ride. A survey before the Games found that 20% said they were motivated to cycle. Once the games had concluded, 52% responded to the same question positively.

Buying LED Bike Lights and Other Accessories

If you're new to the world of road cycling, you're probably keen to stock up on all the appropriate kit and goodies. One of the great things about cycling is that it can be as cheap or expensive as you care to make it. If you're going to be racing, spending big will help you shave seconds off your time trialing results. If you're simply riding for fun, or to get fit, you don't need to spend too much on your set up. Some basic cycling clothes will be useful if you're going to be riding regularly, as they will help you maintain a balanced temperature. Purchasing a cycle computer can also make your rides more fun, as you'll have access to information about the speeds and distances you've travelled. A good quality helmet will protect you should you fall, and wearing reflective clothing is always sensible to increase visibility. A quality set of LED bike lights is also a good idea, as they will keep you safe, and help you find your way home if the darkness descends while you're out.

Since 1991 Park a Bike has represented every bikecorrals, Bike Parking Corrals and bike shelter company in the country. With a vast amount of knowledge gained from experience in this industry and from other businesses owned by Bauer, Park a Bike continues its vertical integration from being a distributor to a manufacturer with its own signature product line that adds simplicity, value, and environmentally safe products.

Bike Friendly Campuses

2014-02-06T08:16:00.000-08:00

One of Park-a-Bike's missions is to become known as a premier provider of bicyclefriendly campus solutions. Our team has been fortunate enough to visit numerous colleges across the country. On our journey, we have come across a number of best practices, key findings, and many velo friendly opportunities.

We have identified 4 major problems that campuses are experiencing today:

Deteriorating bicycle parking infrastructures
Lack of available funds to improve it
Resources to properly manage it
The lack of "value" to the students

Park-a-Bike has a closed loop solution to all 4 of the above problems. We are currently piloting our program with over 20 colleges across the U.S. We have created the first Smart Rack - Smart Solution plan. The Varsity Bike Dock is only a small part of it. If you want more information or need a demo for your college contact us.

In this section, we are going to get you information. We will show you pictures, testimonials and more about the failures and successes of the campus scene.

Benefits of Getting a Cycle Shelter for Your Cycles

2013-02-01T00:04:00.005-08:00

If you have more than 2 cycles at home then you must get a cycle shelter for your house. Even if you have only one cycle at home it is still worth installing cycle storage place for your cycle because it protects your cycle and keeps it safe. It keeps the cycle safe not only from thieves but also from harsh weather. Cycle shelters are designed in such a way that they do not occupy a lot of place but they accommodate more than a dozen bicycles. They are strong and sturdy and the best ones are made from galvanized steel.

There are many benefits of using cycle shelters. Firstly, they encourage people to use and purchase bikes and it discourages them to use their cars. In places such as supermarkets, hospitals, schools, offices and other public places there are better chances of installing shelters for bicycles. Moreover, it also helps to de clutter the road and reduces the traffic. If there are more shelter for cycles then all the cycles will be kept in one place in an orderly manner and they will not be parked just anywhere on the road. This will give more space to cars.

If more bicycles are used then the number of cars on the road will go down and so will the level of pollution in the air. Along with this benefit we also get the benefit of reducing the number of accidents. Less number of cars on a free road will lead to less or no accidents. Hence building or installing cycle shelters has more than one benefit. It is also cost effective. A parking lot for cars will not only take up a lot of space but will also need a lot of money and resource but on the other hand a cycle storage place does not need money and resources.

There are innumerable benefits of installing cycle shelters in homes as well as in public spaces. One such benefit is on the health of the person. If there are more shelters for bicycles then it will encourage people to use their bicycles more often and the more we use the more is the exercise to our body. It will help them to remain healthy if they ride their cycles to run errands or to go to public spaces. A healthy life is the key to wealth and success.

When you are planning to get a shelter for your cycle make sure you buy the best and the one made from the strongest metal. You should also approach a reliable and a known dealer when you are buying material for cycle shelters. Some also offer installation services. However, it can also be installed easily with the help of a screwdriver and a couple screws. All you have to do is follow the manual step by step. To know more about building and buying shelters you can use the internet as there is a lot of information available on this topic.

Since 1991 Park a Bike has represented every bike corrals, Bike Parking Corrals and bike shelter company in the country. With a vast amount of knowledge gained from experience in this industry and from other businesses owned by Bauer, Park a Bike continues its vertical integration from being a distributor to a manufacturer with its own signature product line that adds simplicity, value, and environmentally safe products.

Bike Corrals - Factors to Keep in Mind While Designing

2013-01-31T23:52:00.001-08:00

There are number of practices that have been adopted so far when it comes to constructing bike-parking areas. In fact, one of the major concerns for employers is the arrangement of parking space for bikes that are covered by the cycle to work scheme. A few pointers should be kept in mind while planning for the bike parking space. These include:

Visibility:

A cycle parking area should be easy to locate. It is not a good idea to hide the parking area from open view. Positioning the cycle parking area in a corner of the underground car parking space can lead to the staff remaining unaware of its presence. Instead of publicizing its location, it is better that the same is moved to an open location.

Accessibility:

The area for Bike Corrals should be preferably located at a distance of 20m-30m from the office. Making space for it close to the entrance would definitely have a positive impact on the employees and more and more of them would be encouraged to take up the scheme.

Ensuring Complete Safety and Security:

The parking area should be completely secured. Railings should be installed on one end and the bike wheels and frame should be firmly locked with it. The staff using the parking space should feel that their property is completely safe against any kind of security threats. Installation of a CCTV and additional lighting equipment will serve the purpose.

Easy Maintenance and Management

The stands should be strong enough to provide support for all kinds of bikes and be easy to use. A difficult arrangement may dissuade people from opting for the cycle scheme. The cycle stands should have a robust finish so that there are minimum chances of the bike sustaining damage. If possible, employees should be assigned a cycle locker each. It is necessary to monitor the stands regularly so that arrangements can be made in case the space is exhausted or for the removal of bikes that have been abandoned.

Designing a Covered Parking Space:

Instead of arranging for bike parking corrals in the open, it is advisable to develop a covered parking space. You need to ensure that the bikes are protected against all the external elements.

Attractive Parking Equipments

Using attractive parking equipments would definitely add to the appearance of the parking space. It should be of an appropriate size and the color scheme should complement the surroundings.

Proper Entrance to the Parking Area

Cycle parking should be done in accordance with off-road and on-road cycle network. Difficult road conditions should not end up causing barriers to smooth parking. On the contrary, you should make sure that the entrance to the parking area is well planned for the benefit of the cyclists.

It is necessary to ensure that the arrangement for cycle parking does not get in the way of any other activity. If the parking area is appropriately located, there are minimum chances of this getting in the way of any other activity. Therefore, it is necessary that it is located in full view. At the same time, it should not emerge as an obstruction.

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The University of Kentucky looks to join the ranks of some of the country's elite bicycle friendly campuses

2013-01-31T22:27:00.000-08:00

Sacramento, CA - The University of Kentucky is taking great strides in redeveloping their bicycle parking Infrastructure.The University recently purchased new bicycle racks for the campus and campus housing, which has been planned as a multi phase build project. The new bicycle friendly rack, the Varsity Bike Dock™, comes equipped with a number of unique features and benefits that are sure to be a hit with their campus commuters.

The Varsity Bike Dock™,a Park a Bike, inc. product, is both manufactured and distributed in the United States. The unit secures two bicycles and comes equipped with trademarked "Smart Guards", which can easily be defined as a bumper guard of sorts. The Smart Guards have been customized to brand the University bike rack as well as prevent metal to metal contact between the bike and the rack, which helps keep both in better condition. The unit has also been designed to offer simple and intuitive locking through the well positioned locking loops which are sure to help turn the novice bicycle parker into a professional. The locking loops make it simple for commuters to lock both their front wheel and frame to the rack with a recommended U Lock, which helps increase overall security.

The Unit also comes equipped with a QR tag on the top of the dock, and when scanned with any smart phone, plays a smart and safe bicycle parking video that not only demonstrates how to properly lock a bike, thwarting would be thieves, but also sends some additional examples of bicycle commuting best practices. QR scanners are easy to find and a quick search on a phones application library will find a number of free QR scanners.

The Varsity Bike Dock™also helps control the bikes footprint with the help of the patented wheel trough. The wheel troughs will not only help secure the bicycles footprint, but they also help prevent the bicycle from slipping or tipping over

The University is making great strides towards becoming a truly bicycle friendly campus. One might not think of bike corrals as much, but giving students a product that functions great, easy to use, and educates - seems to be a pedal in the right direction. To learn more about the Varsity Bike Dock or other innovative covered bicycle parking products designed by Park a Bike, please visit www.parkabike.com or contact us via email at info@parkabike.com.

The Importance of Availing Bike Parking Products and Solutions

2012-12-07T03:00:00.001-08:00

If you are on the lookout for bike storagesolutions and confused over the several different options available today's market, then here is a simple guide that will help sort through all the different types of bike storage solutions and know how to pick the one that will be best for your organizational needs.

It is indeed true that there are many varying types of bike parking products and storage methods for bikes. It can be confusing trying to pick which will work best. Let us first begin by discussing what can happen if a proper bike parking system is not availed and instead people opt for the age old method of parking their bikes on the streets.

Motorcycle parking on the street is fine except for the following:

• Cars often topple parked motorcycles
• Vandalism
• Damage from the elements
• Lack of parking availability
• Parking tickets
• Theft

First of all one has to look at the choices one has available for bike parking system and storage. One can begin by asking the following questionnaire:

1. Will your bike be stored outside?
2. Will you be bringing your bike in the house when not in use?
3. Do you have a garage or basement where you can keep your bike?
4. How about the available space for storage in this areas-do you have plenty of room or is it cramped?

Few other considerations will include answering the following questions.

1. Will you use your bike less if it is stored in a place that is hard to access? (The easier it is to get your bike in and out of its designated storage area, the more likely you will use it.)
2. Do you have any physical or health limitations that prohibit you from lifting your bike?
3. How many bikes will you need to store?
4. How important will it be to protect your bike from the elements?

Once you have answered these questions you are ready for the bike storage solutions and motorcycle parking systems available today.

Advantages of availing bike parking system:

• Suitable for both Public and Private parking.
• Safety is ensured by use of a parking safety zone and multiple safety sensors.
• Access to and egress from the parking bay is quick, safe and convenient.
• The operation of the system is overseen and reliably governed by a computer.
• The system operates with a minimum of noise and vibration.
• Low maintenance levels required by the system
• The cost per parking space is low.
• It is used in both above and below ground installations where space is limited.
• Due to the efficient use of space, motorcycle parking system is most suitable to middle and small size buildings.

Since 1991 Park a Bike has represented every bike corrals, bicycle lockers and bike shelter company in the country. With a vast amount of knowledge gained from experience in this industry and from other businesses owned by Bauer, Park A Bike continues its vertical integration from being a distributor to a manufacturer with its own signature product line that adds simplicity, value, and environmentally safe products.
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LEED credits for Bike Parking

2012-10-26T00:29:00.001-07:00

PARK A BIKE | 8 0 0 - 6 3 0 - 7 3 3 5 | INFO@PARKABIKE.COM | PARKABIKE.COM

LEED points are applied to the Sustainable Sites (SS) category and qualify under SS Credit 4.2:

Alternative Transportation:

Bicycle Changing and Storage Rooms for 1-2 points.

For recycled content in particular,

LEED points apply to the Materials & Resources (MR) category and qualify under MR Credit 4.1/ 4.2.

The typical re-melt rate for stainless steel is between 60 and 85%. Our products are at least 60% recycled.

All stainless steel products are 100% recyclable

The average recycled content of the steel used to manufacture our bike parking racks is at least 20% and can reach as high as 75%.

Intent

Reduce automobile use and land development for a continual decrease in pollution levels.

Requirements

To qualify for this credit, buildings that are commercial, residential and/or institutional must provide secure bicycle parking within 200 yards of an entrance to the building.

The guidelines below must be met or exceeded:

• Commercial/Institutional Buildings: Bike racks must be provided for 5% or more of all building occupants measured during peak use. Showering facilities must also be provided in order to qualify.

• Residential Buildings: There must be covered facilities for bike racks/storage for 15% of the occupants. Showering facilities are not required.

Potential Additional Point for Exemplary Performance

One innovation point for “exemplary performance in alternative transportation” can be obtained by creating a complete alternative transportation plan for occupants within the building that will result in a variable decrease in single occupancy vehicles.

Examples include alternative transportations such as biking and walking, public transit options, carpooling and telecommuting.

Since 1991 Park a Bike has represented every bike corrals, bicycle lockers and bike shelter company in the country. With a vast amount of knowledge gained from experience in this industry and from other businesses owned by Bauer, Park A Bike continues its vertical integration from being a distributor to a manufacturer with its own signature product line that adds simplicity, value, and environmentally safe products.

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Planning Your Bike Corral for Your City

2012-10-11T00:47:00.002-07:00

Converting car parking stalls into bike parking corrals is fast becoming the go green option in communities across the country. Cities can reduce the number of bikes that clutter downtown sidewalks, which often impede on pedestrian walkway space, as bikes are commonly found tipped over or intruding onto common walkways

On average, cities can convert one car space into 10 bike parking spaces. By doing so, this will: Financially benefit businesses

Allow sidewalk seating options
Lessen toxic motor vehicle emissions
Promote healthy living
Encourage bicycling as a viable means of transportation

As you begin your planning for on street bicycle parking, we must first note a few key points and opportunities to best make your project a success.

Streets where bike corrals are being installed are not flat and often have slopes, most commonly to the curb, for water runoff. So why is this issue? Unlike cars, bikes don't have parking brakes or the ability to turn their wheel to contact a curb as a safety measure. Therefore, bikes front wheels can slip and slide, causing bikes to tip and fall over.

A solution you can offer bicyclists is a rack that docks their bike. Park a Bike starts every Corral with its Varsity Bike Dock.

The Varsity Bike Dock allows your bike parking to be organized and contained and the bikes won't be susceptible to sliding or slipping with elevation changes in the street as they commonly do with older style racks.

Our patented wheel trough design controls the bike's footprint.The angle of the troughs helps offset handlebars to avoid handlebar conflict, and our hardened steel locking loops provide the highest level of security while offering bike parkers the feasibility of locking their front wheel and frame to the dock.

Everything about the Varsity Bike Docks is made for the end user.

Once the configurations of docks are set, choose your perimeter. We can go as contained as our "Roundup Bike Corral", as intuitive as our best-selling "PitStop Bike Corral" or as ornamental as you would like it to be. Once we start with the proper bike docks at the core, the rest is a ride in the park.

Since 1991 Park a Bike has represented every bike rack, bike corrals, bike parking corrals, bike storage shed, bike locker and bike shelter company in the country. With a vast amount of knowledge gained from experience in this industry and from other businesses owned by Bauer,

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Central Park Bike Rentals - Fun and Convenient Ways to Visit the Park

2012-09-11T03:57:00.001-07:00

Central Park, Manhattan, New York City is a beautiful urban park which has several attractions for tourists. The park has a spread of 843 acres of land and whether you are New York rookie or traveled veteran, bike tours are an excellent way to explore the place. Central Park Bike rentals are fun and are a convenient way to visit the park.

If one wants to enjoy the Central Park, one of the best ways is to take a bike tour. There are various bike tours offered by different companies and these tours can be customized as per your requirements.
Bicycles can be rented on an hourly or daily basis. There is a combination of various types of bike rentals offered by the bike rental companies like the architecture tour, picnic tour, central park tour, private tour, etc.
Also one can enjoy the bike tours with professional guides for complete satisfaction and full coverage. They offer the most informative and descriptive details of the park. With the guided bicycle tours you can happily visit Frederick Law Olmstead's landscaped masterpiece. The Strawberry Fields, the 3 acre international garden of peace honoring John Lennon, the medieval Belvedere Castle and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir and the spectacular views of the park and neighboring parts of the city can be visited by a bike tour as well.

If you are planning to visit the park with your family and friends, bike tours can become extremely convenient. The bike tours are arranged by different tour operators from varied corners of the Central Park. All the tours are provided safety equipments like the helmet, etc and some even offer snacks and bottled water.

Depending on whether you want to take a full day tour or a half day tour, these Central Park bike rentals companies offer both. Do remember that if you decide to explore the park by yourself, nothing could be more convenient way than bike rentals.

Central Park experience can be simplified with these bike tours which offer you a map, a helmet, a chain-lock, and a basket. If its summer time, then ensure that you are carrying your own backpack with all the necessary items for your ride.

Whether you want to explore the park on your own or with a professional guide is completely a matter of choice. The tour guides inspire visitors with their information about the park. Since you have the option of different kinds of bike tours, go ahead and choose one which is most suited according to your requirements and likings. You can even opt for customized tours also.

Since 1991 Park a Bike has represented every bike corrals, bicycle lockers and bike shelter company in the country. With a vast amount of knowledge gained from experience in this industry and from other businesses owned by Bauer, Park A Bike continues its vertical integration from being a distributor to a manufacturer with its own signature product line that adds simplicity, value, and environmentally safe products.

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Some Safety Tips For Parking Your Motorcycle

2012-09-11T03:53:00.004-07:00

Sure, parking your motorcycle may not seem like the most difficult task in the world, but there are some situations that could present you with some trouble when parking your bike. Here are some safety tips that you will want to keep in mind when you finish your ride for the day.

Parking on a hill.

Chances are you will have to park your bike on a hill at some point or another. The key to safely putting your motorcycle in place if you have to park on a steep hill is that you angle your bike so that it is not leaning in a manner that could leave it vulnerable to falling over. Park your bike so that you are not tipping the bike downhill in order to get it on it's kickstand. Instead, you want your bike to be leaning uphill. Make sure that you put your bike in gear so that it does not roll backwards or forwards. If your motorcycle has a parking break, make sure that you apply it.

Parking on city streets.

You shouldn't have too much trouble with parking on city streets. However, you may experience heavy traffic and tight parking spaces from time to time which means that parking your motorcycle can become a more stressful situation. When parking on city streets, make sure you back your bike into the parking spot on an angle. Bump your rear tire up to the curb if there is one and your motorcycle allows it. This will help keep your motorcycle in place by preventing it from being able to roll backwards.

Parking with a passenger on board.

Riding with a passenger can be an enjoyable experience, but it can quickly turn into disaster if you are not properly prepared to park your motorcycle safely. There are a few things that you need to keep in mind when parking your bike when someone is on board. First of all, you have to realize that you are in control of the bike, and your passenger really is trusting you to make sure that it is steady enough for them to dismount. When you are ready, plant both feet firmly on the ground and grasp both handlebars tightly so that you are able to keep it held in an upright position.

Make sure that the bike is off, in gear, and your hand is gripping the hand brake firmly. When you are ready, give your passenger the go ahead to climb down from the motorcycle. Once he or she is free and clear of the motorcycle, go ahead and lean it onto the kickstand.

Since 1991 Park a Bike has represented every bike corrals, bicycle lockers and bike shelter company in the country. With a vast amount of knowledge gained from experience in this industry and from other businesses owned by Bauer, Park A Bike continues its vertical integration from being a distributor to a manufacturer with its own signature product line that adds simplicity, value, and environmentally safe products.

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Outdoor Bike Racks - What You Must Know Before Buying Them

2012-08-27T00:47:00.000-07:00

Outdoor bike racks are great for anyone whether you are living in a home or own a business. This provides a great place for people to store their rides in order to help secure them so they do not get lost or stolen. Due to the economy and the ever popular go green moment, more and more people have decided to use two wheels instead of four. So what happens to the business that will not accommodate this ever growing number? The company will begin to loose money as would be customers leave to go to more bike friendly locations.

I know from my own personal experience as I ride mine as much as possible and only use my car when I have to, this makes sense and I see why more and more people are starting to do the same all the time. You save money, you reduce air pollution, and you help yourself to live a more healthy and physically active lifestyle.

As I go out to run errands on my two wheels I have learned to avoid shops and stores that do not have an outdoor bicycle rack available to me. This is not for personal reasons, it is simply more practical, if I do not have a place to park then I am going to have to go somewhere will I will have a place to lock everything up securely so that I do not get my ride stolen from me.

Even if you are an owner of a residential home,it still makes sense to get one of these holders, especially if you have young children. How would you feel if your child went to a friend or a family member's home and their bike was stolen while they were inside visiting? It would be a waste of money and an inconvenience. Well you should take the same consideration to the friends who come to your place and provide a safe place for them to store their ride.

Remember that you paid a pretty penny for your bike and it only makes sense to protect it, likewise you want your customers to feel welcome and safe while they shop at your place. For all of the reasons,it only makes sense to invest in an outdoor bike rack so that you can provide relief and comfort to all you know or do business with. Thank you for reading and I hope that this helps you out.