Efficient Commercial-Grade Bike Rack

Brad Houzenga

Summary:

The goal of this design project was to create a bike rack that maximized efficiency and organization while remaining cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing. One of my biggest concentrations was neatly squeezing as many bikes as I could into a small space. I decided that the rack needed to be made out of element-proof metal, and be completely secure. In order to protect the bikes it was holding, it needed to be coated with a substance that could serve as a protective layer between the rack and the bike frame. Also, the rack needed to be U-lock compatible in order to be completely theft-proof.

My initial concepts ranged from simple design such as modifying an existing rack to complicated, artistic design like building a lampshade-like contraption that brought the front tires of the bikes off of the ground. The designs ranged from linear to round models and one sided and two sided models. Some were free standing while others needed to be anchored by concrete. Finally, the prices ranged from under $100 in cost and a two-bike capacity to several hundred dollars in cost and a 10-bike capacity.

Due to time, space, and financial constraints, I had two designs from which to choose from. The first was modifying a rack to make it more efficient by staggering the bikes vertically. The second, the one I ended up choosing, was a model that looked like a cactus and had rotating arms that locked vertically to secure the bike frame into place. This design is fairly simple and economical, and thus was a better choice.

When a rider approaches with his or her bike, they simply dismount from their bike and choose either side of the rack. The bike can be positioned either direction on either side. The rider grabs the arm of the rack and applies light pressure until the arm bends down. Then the rider would lean their bike against the central pole, making sure that the arm was inserted through the bike frame. The rider would again grab the arm, and rotate it vertically until it snapped back into vertical position. This would leave the bike simply supported by the central pole and supported from tipping over the other direction by the arm. To secure the bike, the rider can either chain it simply to the loop at the top of the central pole or insert a U-lock into the hole at the top of the arm and the loop. To remove the bike from the rack, the rider simply repeats these steps in the opposite order.

These attributes fulfill my design criteria. The bikes are very close and well organized. The cactus is also very appealing to the eye, especially if placed in the southwestern U.S. It is extremely cost effective and quite durable. It is secure itself and also has enough options that any bike can be secured both from theft and from falling over. Finally, it is thoroughly coated so as not to scratch a bike. It also is compatible with nearly every size bicycle except for small children's bikes.