NYS DOT Innovative Mobility Demonstration Project

 

Task 2.2

Bicycle Parking at Huguenot SIRR Station

 

Introduction – Planning to install bicycle parking

 

This guide is intended to help create bicycle parking facilities at the Huguenot SIRR Park-And-Ride lot. Transportation Alternatives (T.A.) has selected three safe and convenient alternatives for bike parking at the station.

 

Since Staten Island Railroad policies regarding bicycle access are restrictive during peak commuter hours secure bike parking is necessary to provide a secure area for cyclists to store their bicycles during the workday.  From Monday to Friday the Staten Island Railroad allows cyclists to bring their bikes on the train from 9am to 3pm and from 7pm to 4am.  At all times, including on the weekends, “Transporting bicycles is permitted under limited circumstances.  Please see the conductor or agent for details” (NYC Transit, SIRR Timetable, April 1999, available at http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/service/ sisched.pdf).

 

For commuting cyclists adequate bicycle parking is more than just a fixed object to which a bicycle can be locked. It also means a location safe from vandalism and theft and conveniently located close to the cyclists destination. The information on the following pages lays out various options for bicycle parking facilities. For additional information or guidance please contact:

 

Transportation Alternatives

115 West 30th St. Suite 1207

New York, NY 10001

212-629-8080

projects@transalt.org

 

For the reasons behind the recommendations and more specific information about racks, lockers, spacing and siting, signs, program administration and evaluation please see the “Bicycle Parking Hardware Options” report.

 

 

 

 

 

Secure Bicycle Parking

 

The largest obstacle to potential cyclists in New York City is finding a safe place to lock their bike at their destination. In New York City a bike rack is not adequate secure long-term parking, nor is merely aiming a video camera at a bike rack.

 

“Secure bicycle parking” in public destinations is bike parking physically protected from thieves and weather. It has controlled access through key, swipe card, numeric keypad or other security device. It is guarded and well lit. In public locations around New York City space, time and resources are scarce. As a result, secure bike parking in New York must operate with a minimal amount of maintenance and overhead.

 

Transportation Alternatives’ current work at Pennsylvania Station in Manhattan is an example of unattended secure bike parking at transit. Penn Station is one of the busiest commuter hubs in the United States. It serves Amtrak, Long Island Railroad, NYC Transit, New Jersey Transit, and the Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) train. T.A. is working with the New York City Department of Transportation, the 34th Street Partnership, Madison Square Garden, Amtrak, and Vornado Realty Trust to construct and operate this state-of-the-art secure bike parking facility.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A digital rendering of secure bicycle parking at Penn Station in Manhattan.

 

 

The Penn Station design places an unattended “bike cage” in the Penn Station’s former taxi underpass (a mid-block pass through between 7th and 8th Avenues, connecting 31st and 32nd Streets). This is a sheltered and well lit location. It is well patrolled by Amtrak Police, the MTA and Madison Square Garden security. The bike cage will be under video surveillance, and users will access the bike cage with a swipe card.

 

The Penn Station model combines many elements to create secure bicycle parking in a high density, high security location. The basic elements Penn Station uses that should be repeated at all transit stations with bike parking are:

 

  1. Strong, secure bike racks. Inverted U, square tube type racks.
  2. A location in a highly visible area to reduce opportunities for theft and vandalism.
  3. Protection from the weather. Bus shelter type enclosures over the bike parking area.
  4. Good lighting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hardware

 

Creative Pipe produces the Inverted U and Hammerhead racks. These are made of 2”x2” mechanical steel square tubing that is 0.188” thick.  This square mechanical steel tubing is thicker than schedule 40 steel piping used in common inverted U bike racks (like those common around New York City).  Square tubed racks are stronger and more resistant to cutting at only marginally higher costs.  The City DOT’s CityRacks program, which installs free bike racks around New York City, recently changed its design from the round schedule 40 pipe to the square mechanical steel design to increase the strength and security of its bike racks.  A single Inverted U or Hammerhead rack accommodates two bikes, but they can be arranged parallel to each other to accommodate as many bicycles as desired.  These racks allow users to lock their bicycles at multiple points providing the high level of security that bike racks used for long-term bicycle parking require. 

 

Regardless of the type of rack purchased, the rack needs to have a wide spacing. The Creative Pipe square tube Inverted U bicycle rack comes in widths of 14” and 30”. The 30” rack is necessary.  This wider spaced rack makes it easy for cyclists to securely lock both their bicycle frame and wheels.

 

Using multiple inverted U racks will reduce bicycle/vehicle conflicts. Bike racks need to be protected from vehicles either by a raised concrete pad with curbs or by bollards. A raised concrete pad is preferable because it sets a definitive area for the bicycle parking. Bollards are cheaper and easier to install but may not adequately define the parking area for both cyclists and vehicles and may also damage vehicles that bump in to them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Creative Pipe’s Inverted U bike rack made from 0.188” thick, 2”x2” mechanical steel square tubing.

Bike racks can be combined with new or existing street furniture to attract and encourage new cyclists. The more amenities provided for the user the more attractive cycling will become, and thus more new cyclists will leave their cars at home and pedal to the train station.

 

Benches provide an area for cyclists to rest and gather their belongings. The bike parking area can share benches with a bus stop, train station or other waiting area.

 

Likewise, shelters for bus passengers and others waiting at the station can be used to cover bike racks. Covered bicycle racks provide protection from the elements and are more distinctive, making cycling more attractive to perspective riders. Maintenance costs associated with covered bike racks are no more expensive than maintaining an ordinary bus shelter. Bike racks within the shelter prevent the area from becoming a hang out for loiterers or vandals.

 

 

 

 

 

Bike racks are installed below an existing awning to provide protection from the elements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bus style shelters are used to cover bike racks at this bus stop. The shared use attracts commuters who would normally drive to the bus stop.

 
Location

 

Bicycle parking at the Huguenot Staten Island Railroad station should be close to the station in a highly visible location.  The existing Park and Ride lot is walking distance to the train station, and this “Ride and Ride” bike parking should be no different.  Cyclists are used to the ability to lock their bicycles in close proximity to their destination. They will look for secure bike parking at their final destination before going elsewhere to lock their bicycles.  From the cyclist’s perspective their final destination is most commonsense and secure location to lock their bicycles, and they may opt out of using secure bike parking farther away from their final destination if a closer, though less secure, option, like a signpost, is available.

 

There is ample room around the perimeter of the lot to construct secure bicycle parking.  Installing bicycle parking on the perimeter of the lot, as opposed to within the lot, is preferable because it reduces the conflicts between vehicles (patrons of the Park-And-Ride lot, as well as street cleaners, snow removal machines and other maintenance equipment) and the bicycle parking area.  There is less of a chance that vehicles will crash into the bicycle parking facilities, causing damage to themselves, the bike racks, and bicycles locked to them.  If a perimeter site is chosen it should be as close to the road as possible (i.e. not along the back of the parking lot) and additional lighting will be necessary to secure the bicycle parking area.

 

 

Existing conditions at the Huguenot Staten Island Railroad station.

Preferred Alternative A

The best place to site bicycle parking at Huguenot Station is adjacent to the station’s grounds.  Cyclists prefer to lock their bicycles as close to their final destination as possible, and will ride directly to the station to look for bicycle parking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advantages:

·        Located in a high traffic area (car passing and pedestrians going to and from the SIRR Station and Park-And-Ride lot) that provides a high level of security and visibility.

·        Located where cyclists naturally look for bike parking, close to their final destination.

·        Convenient access to SIRR station.

·        No motor vehicle conflicts associated with locating bike parking within the Park-And-Ride lot.

Disadvantages:

·        May require a retaining wall to support the bike parking pad because there is a steep grade descending to railroad tracks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Alternative A places the bike parking on the left of this photo of the Huguenot SIRR Station.

 

Preferred Alternative B

If sufficient space is not available on the station grounds or adjacent to the Huguenot Staten Island Railroad Station, then placing the bike parking area adjacent to the Huguenot Park-And-Ride lot is suitable. It is visible, accessible and near the station entrance. The lot is large, and there is ample room around it for bicycle parking.

 

 

 

Advantages:

·        Located in a high traffic area (car passing and pedestrians going to and from the SIRR Station) provides high level of security and visibility.

·        Located next to Park-And-Ride lot shows parity between commuting by car and by bicycle.

Disadvantages:

·        Farther from cyclists’ final destination than Preferred Alternative A.

·        Possible conflicts between motor vehicles in Park-And-Ride lot and bike parking area and parked bicycles.

·        Close proximity to Park-And-Ride entrance lot puts cyclists in danger off being hit by motor vehicles entering and exiting the Park-And-Ride lot.

 

 

 

 

Preferred Alternative B places the bike parking area in the lower right of this photo, adjacent to the exiting Park-And-Ride lot.

 

Preferred Alternative C

The next closest location to site secure bicycle parking at the Huguenot SIRR station is across Huguenot Avenue from the station house.  This location is within plain view of the station and closer than locating the bike parking adjacent to the Park-And-Ride lot. However cyclists will have to cross Huguenot Avenue after locking their bicycles.

Advantages:

·        Within plain view of the Huguenot SIRR Station.

·        Closer to SIRR Station that Preferred Alternative B.

Disadvantages:

·        Not located in high car or foot traffic area and will be less secure and visible.

·        To get to and from the SIRR Station cyclists must cross Huguenot Avenue mid-block.

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Alternative C places the bike parking area on the right side of this photo, across Huguenot Avenue from the SIRR Station.

 

 

Non-Preferred Alternatives

 

Within the Park-And-Ride lot bicycle parking can fit in one parking space at the end of a row.  However, placing the bike parking within the Park-And-Ride lot creates conflicts with motor vehicles and dangerous conditions for cyclists using the bike parking. Even if the bike parking area is separated by a curb or bollards motor vehicles still run the risk of driving into the bollards or over the curb and damaging themselves, the bike racks, and bicycle locked to them.

 

If bike parking is built within a Park-And-Ride lot, then it must be clearly delineated from the rest of the facility.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Placing the bike parking within the Park-And-Ride lot creates conflicts with cars and danger for pedestrians.

 

 

 

 

Parking Evaluation

 

Trends in use are a more meaningful measure than the absolute number of bicycles parked when determining the success or failure of new bicycle parking facilities. At first the number of bicycles parked will be small. As time passes the more useful measure may be to look at if the usage continues to increase over time. Additionally many bike parking managers regard the implementation of the programs as useful public relations activities, which help to improve the public’s perception of the agency’s responsiveness – regardless of the level of use of the bicycle facilities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Siting Criteria

 

User Access

  1. Locate on site or within 750 feet of the site – The Huguenot Park-And-Ride lot is just a short walk down Huguenot Street from the station.

 

  1. Cover – There is no existing shelter for bicycles. There is sufficient room to construct a shelter, and should be considered, as it will make the bicycle parking area more prominent.  A shelter will attract bicycle commuters and protect their bicycles in inclement weather.  It will also demark the bicycle parking area from the rest of the Park-And-Ride lot, thus reducing the chance that a vehicle will hit it.

 

  1. Locate parking in visible and prominent locations – The parking locations are near the sidewalk and the road.

 

Security

  1. Locate parking in areas where there is high pedestrian activity – The parking location is situated near a sidewalk and a high traffic street and intersection.

 

  1. Locate in well-lit areas – The Huguenot Park-And-Ride lot is floodlit in the front where the parking could be located.  Additional lighting will be necessary if the bike parking area is sited on the perimeter of the lot.

 

  1. Install lockers – There are no recommendations to install lockers at this time.  If the project proceeds then lockers should be considered.

 

Bicycle Parking Signs

  1. A sign must be placed at the main station entrance indicating the location of the parking – A sign at the entrance is necessary because the parking is not visible from the station.

 

  1. A sign should be placed at the station to inform users what organization maintains the facilities in case of emergency, damaged facilities or the need to gain access (in the case of lockers). This sign can also be used to limit your liability.

 

Spacing and siting standards
  1. All racks and lockers must be securely anchored – Cyclists will opt for the nearest permanent object in lieu of a poorly anchored rack.

 

  1. Each parking space must be accessible without moving another bicycle – Generally allow for 2 feet by 6 feet for each bicycle parking space.

 

  1. Provide an isle at least 5 feet wide behind all bicycle parking to allow room for maneuvering – Just as automobile drivers need additional space to maneuver in and out of parking spaces, so do cyclists.

 

  1. Rack must be at least 2.5’ from a wall or obstruction – If mounting rack next to a wall or obstruction leave 2.5’ (feet) from the wall and the requisite 5’ on the other side of the rack.

 

Installation

  1. All racks and lockers must be very securely mounted to prevent theft and damage - Racks can be mounted with a surface flange and tamper proof bolts to a concrete pad or use a below grade in ground anchor mount in postholes filled with concrete. A poorly secured rack will become a target for thieves.

 

  1. A 4” thick concrete pad with optional #10 wire mesh is the recommended mounting surface. – Other surfaces such as pavers and asphalt may be acceptable. Lockers are secured using surface flanges that are supplied with the lockers.

 

What does not work:

o       Installing bicycle racks too close to a wall or too close to each other – Installing racks improperly can cut capacity as much as 90%

 

o       Placing bicycle racks too close to car parking – Motorists will seldom leave sufficient room for bicyclists to park and maneuver if bicycle parking is not sufficiently separated from car parking. Consider using bollards or curbs to separate the bicycle and vehicle car areas.

 

o       Parking requiring cyclists to carry their bicycles – Carrying bicycles up or down stairs or through large crowds of people will cut off access to your facilities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bicycle Parking Checklist

 

When creating new bicycle parking facilities please use this checklist. If you answer more then three questions NO you should find an alternate site for your parking.

 

Is the bicycle parking located on site or within 750 feet of the site?

 

Is the parking located in a visible and accessible location so that cyclists will not have trouble finding it?

 

Is the parking located in an area of high pedestrian traffic?

 

Is the parking located in a well-lit area?

 

Is there a sign placed at the entrance to the station indicating the location of the parking?

 

Are the racks you’re installing a version of the “Inverted U” rack?

 

Will the rack be securely anchored to the ground?

 

Is each bicycle parking space accessible without moving another bicycle?

 

Is an isle at least 5 feet wide provided behind all bicycle parking?

 

Is the parking at least 2.5 feet from a wall or obstruction?

 

Is the bicycle parking too close (5 feet) to vehicle parking?

 

Is the bicycle parking separated from vehicles by a curb, bollards, ramp, sidewalk, etc…?

 

Does the parking location require cyclists to carry their bicycles? (e.g. stairs)

 

Is there a 4” thick concrete pad or other appropriate surface to mount the parking facilities to?