SVBC will award 5 grants to local businesses to assist with the purchase and installation of bicycle racks for employees and patrons of the business. The grant will provide 75% of the retail price of the bicycle racks with a maximum award amount of $500 per grant. The grant will also cover cost associated with shipping, installation, and necessary hardware to securely mount the bicycle rack. Applications are due May 25th, 2013.
Submit applications to:
SVBC – Bike Rack Grant
PO Box 1014
Harrisonburg, VA 22803
GRANT GUIDELINES
- Business must be located within Harrisonburg city limits.
- Rack will say “Bike rack made possible by a grant from the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition”
- Rack installation must meet City guidelines of bicycle parking which recommends “Bicycle Parking Guidelines” adopted by the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals. (SVBC will assist in defining the rack site and installing the rack in accordance with these guidelines.)
- Bike racks must be installed in locations that:
- Are continuously accessible to the public (24 hours per day and all year – including winter, holidays, etc.) and in a visible location. For instance, installation cannot be at a back entrance utilized only by employees or only available at designated times of day
- Do not block fire escapes, fire lanes, or other such emergency access.
- Do not impede pedestrian flow or accessibility for people with disabling conditions.
- Allow the bike rack to be used to its capacity (If a rack has the potential to hold 4 bikes, it should be installed in such a way that 4 bicycle frames can lock to it.)
- Any remaining balance must be paid by applicant in check or cash to “Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition” prior to installation of the rack.
- Applicant agrees to clear racks of snow within 24 hours of snowfall in excess of 2 inches.
- If the applicant’s business changes location, rack must remain installed at its original location unless SVBC Board gives approval to relocate the rack in advance.
- Participants must maintain and indemnify received bike racks in a suitable location as described above for a minimum of five years after installation, and respond to survey questions on the status and usage of the bike racks. Removal of any bike rack less than five years after the date of installation will require the applicant to reimburse SVBC for the full dollar amount of the award.
PRICES AND BIKE RACK DETAILS
The bicycle racks available through this grant are shaped like the rack pictured on the left. Each loop accommodates two bicycles. The grant offers any combination of two-loop, three-loop, and four-loop racks.
- One-Loop Rack: Accommodates two bicycles, Retail Price: TBD
- Two-Loop Rack: Accommodates four bicycles, Retail price: $349
- Three-Loop Rack: Accommodates six bicycles, Retail price: $429
- Four-Loop Rack: Accommodates eight bicycles, Retail price: $559
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact David Lee () or
Erik Jensen ()
Why Is Bicycle Parking Important?
- Bicycle parking is good for business. Bicycle racks provide additional parking spaces which customers can use to patronize local businesses. Bicycle racks not only invite cyclists in, but they announce to potential cyclists and non-cyclist customers alike that the business supports sustainable values, an increasingly important factor for many consumers.
- Designated, well-designed parking promotes a more orderly streetscape and preserves the pedestrian right of way:
- It presents a more orderly appearance for buildings.
- It prevents damage to trees and street furniture.
- It keeps bicycles from falling over and blocking the sidewalk.
- Bicycle parking helps legitimize cycling as a transportation mode by providing parking opportunities equal to motorized vehicles.
Source: Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals. Bicycle Parking Guidelines, 2nd Edition. 2010.
How Can Bicycle Racks Help Boost Worker Productivity?
Providing a safe and convenient location for employees to park their bikes can help encourage more employees to bike to work more often. Bike commuters are not only happier, more energetic, clearer- headed, and better at solving problems – they also take fewer sick days per year than non bicycle commuters. (Sources: Bikes Belong. Health benefits of bicycling.)
Employers encouraging employees to bicycle to work is one of the best ways to get people back on their bikes. Here are some ideas from the League of American Bicyclists: Encourage Businesses and Employers.
What Makes a Good Bicycle Rack?
The Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP) recommends selecting a bicycle rack. that:
- Supports the bicycle in at least two places (not just one wheel), preventing it from falling over.
- Allows locking of the frame and one or both wheels with a U-lock.
- Is securely anchored to ground.
- Resists cutting, rusting and bending or deformation.
Source: Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals. Bicycle Parking Guidelines, 2nd Edition. 2010.
SVBC discourages the use of the undulating or wave style bike racks, the comb style bike racks, the wheel well and other bike racks that do not meet the recommendations of APBP listed above.
How Much Do Bicycle Racks Cost?
The cost of bicycle racks vary depending on style, number of bikes it can accommodate, if a special color is desired, shipping distance, and if more than one bicycle rack is being ordered at a time. Below is a list of different inverted U bicycle racks and a range we have found them to cost.
- 1 Inverted U (holds 2 bikes) – $100-150
- 2 Inverted Us (holds 4 bikes) – $250-375
- 4 Inverted Us (holds 8 bikes) – $450-575
Where Can My Business Purchase a Bicycle Rack?*
- Shickel Corporation, Bridgewater, VA
- Function First, Tuscon, AZ
- Dero Bike Racks, Minneapolis, MN
- Saris Commercial Bike Parking
- Search online for Bicycle Racks.
* SVBC provides these resources as a public service. SVBC does not endorse any of the products, vendors, consultants, or documentation referenced. Any mention of vendors, products, or services is for informational purposes only.
I Want to Install a Good Bicycle Rack and Could Use Some Help Selecting The Location. Can someone help me?
SVBC can provide some assistance with selecting a bicycle rack location. Please e-mail .
