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Dimensions and spacing of bicycle racks: ByCommute's practical guide to designing a bicycle shelter

When designing a bicycle parking area, particular attention needs to be paid to dimensions and spacing between hoops. This detailed guide presents current standards and recommendations for optimizing your installation, taking into account both user comfort and efficient use of available space. The recommendations that follow are based on standards recognized by experts in the field and specialized organizations such as Alvéole Plus.

Bicycle racks, also known as U-shaped bike racks like those from bycommute are the most common and efficient solution for bicycle parking.

Their design allows the wheel and frame to be attached simultaneously, offering optimum security against theft.

Typical dimensions of a standard bike rack include a height of 80 cm above ground and a width of 60 cm, allowing comfortable parking.. These dimensions are considered the basic standard for general use. 

The spacing between hoops is a crucial factor that directly influences the ease of use and efficiency of the parking space. This spacing varies according to the type of layout chosen.

Perpendicular layout (in battle)

The perpendicular layout is the most common configuration, where bicycles are parked perpendicular to a traffic aisle. The recommendations for this layout are as follows:

To optimize user comfort, a spacing of 1 metre between hoops is recommended, with a depth of 2 metres and an aisle width of 1.80 metres.. This generous configuration makes maneuvering much easier and is particularly suited to spaces where comfort is more important than density.

If space optimization is a priority, the spacing can be reduced to 82 cm. between hoops, while maintaining a depth of 2 meters and a driveway that can be reduced to 1.10 meters depending on available space.

45° herringbone layout

The 45° herringbone layout is particularly suitable for smaller spaces or high-traffic areas, as it facilitates the insertion and removal of bicycles.

For this configuration, the recommendations call for a width of 1.40 metres for the first bike and 1 metre for subsequent bikes, with a depth of 1.40 metres and a lane width of 1.20 to 1.40 metres.5. This layout optimizes space while maintaining good accessibility.

Other sources mention similar values: 0.80 meters wide (1.40 meters for the first bike, 0.90 cm for the last), 1.40 meters deep and 1.20 meters for the aisle..

Longitudinal layout

The longitudinal arrangement, where bicycles are parked parallel to the aisle, is less common but can be useful in certain spatial configurations.

For this layout, the recommended spacing is 2 m wide, 75 cm deep, with a 90 cm aisle.5. This configuration is particularly suited to narrow corridors or linear spaces.

Additional Spatial Considerations

Beyond the standard spacing between hoops, certain additional spatial considerations are essential to ensure the functionality of the installation.

Distance to side obstacles

An often overlooked but crucial parameter is the distance between the axle of each bike and a lateral obstacle, such as a wall, post or railing. This distance must be at least 38 cm. for comfortable, stress-free parking. This margin prevents the handlebars or pedals from colliding with surrounding obstacles.

Necessary headroom

To guarantee accessibility, the obstacle-free height above the parking space must be at least 2 metres, or 2.20 metres for standard configurations.5. This height allows cyclists to easily handle their bikes without the risk of bumping into high components.

For double-level installations, the height required increases considerably, reaching 2.80 metres according to some models or 2.65 metres according to other. This extra height is essential for the operation of the lifting systems on the upper level.

Special configurations for space optimization

For limited spaces requiring high parking density, several special configurations can be envisaged.

Alternate elevation

The principle of alternating elevation of the front wheel reduces the spacing between bikes, while preventing the handlebars from overlapping. This configuration requires a spacing of 60 cm between seats and a depth of 2 meters.5.