Picture this: you’ve biked across town—enjoying the breeze, maybe even skipping a parking garage fee—only to arrive at your destination and realize there’s nowhere safe to lock your bike. Do you risk it? Do you turn back?
Great trails and bike lanes fall short if there’s nowhere safe to park. Secure bike parking is one of the simplest, most effective ways to make biking a real transportation and recreational option for more people in our city. Without a safe and convenient place to park, trips by bike become less practical—which means fewer people choosing to ride.
That’s where better bike racks—and more of them—come in.
Why Secure Bike Parking Matters
Lack of secure parking—and fears of theft—are barriers for many potential bicyclists. For riders, good bike parking is about peace of mind and accessibility. Whether it’s biking to work or school, grabbing dinner with friends, or running an errand, knowing your bike will be there when you’re ready to head home is critical.
A sturdy rack in a visible, well-lit location reduces the risk of theft or damage. It also makes cycling feel less stressful and more like a reliable way to get around.
And bike parking isn’t just about rider convenience—it’s also a proven pro-business amenity and community connector. A few square feet dedicated to a rack can welcome dozens of new customers or visitors who arrive by bike. Secure bike parking encourages stopping and spending at local businesses, makes biking a viable transportation option for individuals without a car, and is especially important in neighborhoods with limited transit access.
Where Should Racks Go?
The best bike racks are:
Near entrances. Riders should be able to spot them immediately—or see clear wayfinding signs if they’re not directly visible. If it’s hidden around the corner, it might as well not exist.
Secured to quality pavement or designed to be freestanding. Do not bolt racks to paver blocks or damaged pavement, as they will pull loose. Some multi-rack designs are designed to be freestanding, and they can be located on pavers, a level grassy area, or a gravel lot. Freestanding bike racks may be moved temporarily during events or to facilitate landscaping or snow removal.
In visible, well-lit, and secure areas. Good placement makes racks safer and encourages use.
Located where errant drivers won’t hit them. Bike racks are typically located up on the curb level or separated from the parking area with parking blocks. Bike racks should not be placed in a parking lot without some physical separation that stops cars from driving into and over them. If a sidewalk location regularly needs replacement signs or traffic signals, consider installing a sturdy bollard ahead of the bike parking to keep motor vehicles out of the bike parking and pedestrian area.
Rack Design Do’s and Don’ts
Design matters. A simple, inverted-U Rack or Hitch Rack is the gold standard: it provides two points of contact to support the bike frame, works for varying wheel sizes, and allows both the frame and a wheel to be locked.
Poorly designed racks—like wheel-benders or wave / spiral designs frustrate riders, leave bikes vulnerable to theft, and sometimes damage bikes.
Racks should be securely anchored and spaced properly to accommodate all types of bikes—including cargo bikes and bikes with trailers. Bike Parking Guide from Dero.com
Bad Bike Rack Choice – The Wave / Rolling Rack
Wave racks are not recommended due to narrow spacing and providing only one contact point with the bike. Bikes tend to fall over and get tangled together. Bikes riders will often park parallel to the rack to find a secure locking position, greatly lowering the parking capacity. What’s wrong with the Wave Rack? – Video Link
Also avoid the Helix or Spiral Rack. They are even worse for bikes falling over while locked.
Good Bike Rack Choice – The Staple or Inverted U-Rack
A well-spaced, simple inverted U-Rack, Hoop, or Staple rack is best practice for bike parking, allowing two bikes per rack to be secured by their frames.
The U-Rack can be installed directly into new concrete or bolted securely (4 bolts with concrete anchors per rack). Similar Good Bike Racks: U-Rack / Hoop Rack, Swerve Rack, Hitch Rack
Good Bike Rack Choice – The U-Rack Corral / Cycle Stall
Freestanding Corral Racks have the benefits of the inverted U-Rack, and add capacity and mounting options by connecting multiple racks on a pair of rails. You can have 3, 4, or 5 bike racks per corral and it simply bolts together. A 5-rack bike corral can securely park 10 bikes.
You might want a bike corral if you’re unable to bolt to the surface underneath (grass, gravel, or pavers), or if you need to occasionally move the bike rack for landscaping or snow removal. Cycle Stall Product Info from Dero.com
Local Business Spotlight
Some local businesses are already showing how thoughtful bike parking can strengthen the community and bring in more customers.
The Central IN Cycling Advocacy Committee partnered with local businesses—including La Parada, Yazsh Cafe, and Solely Wine—to install secure bike racks right outside their doors. Bike racks were also installed outside the Beech Grove City Hall building in November 2025.
These racks are about more than metal and bolts. They help make neighborhoods and businesses more welcoming for people arriving on two wheels.
