Bicycling has become a preferred means of environmentally friendly, fun, and healthy transportation for millions of America’s apartment, condo, and townhouse dwellers.
From 2008 to 2017, bicycle ridership in the U.S. grew 40%, from 47 million to 66 million, according to Statistica.com. Couple the dramatic increase in cyclists with the fact that U.S. households are renting at higher rates than at any time in the past 50 years, and multifamily developers and their project teams are left with no choice but to include bicycle storage and maintenance high on their list of amenities.
In fact, this publication’s exclusive Multifamily Amenities 2017 survey found that two-thirds of respondents (66.5%) had included “secure bicycle storage” in recent projects.
“Every project we design has bike storage of some type, whether it is standard racks on the street, individual private lockers, or hundreds of bikes stored in a stacker configuration in the parking garage,” said Nathan Sciarra, AIA, Associate Principal, KTGY Architecture + Planning, Denver.
Bicycle amenity spaces can be divided into three distinct types: storage only (bike parking, storage racks); bike storage with workshop space (pumps, basic tools, wash area); and the latest variant, bicycle kitchens (more intensive workshop areas combined with an added social element).
A metal ramp in a Boulder View (Colo.) community designed by KTGY Architecture + Planning runs along the edge of the stairs for easier shifting of bikes between floors. KTGY Architecture + Planning.
A bicycle kitchen is a luxury amenity that is very appealing to a growing group of multifamily dwellers. “I would describe them as bicycle clubhouses, where like-minded residents mingle, collaborate, share stories and adventures, and create connections,” said Bobby Long, Principal, Kephart. Considerable thought needs to go into the aesthetics and comfort of bicycle kitchens.
According to the design experts we consulted, there are certain features no bicycle kitchen should be without: large-screen TVs with cable service, WiFi, comfortable furniture that encourages gathering and relaxation, good lighting, and bicycle-themed artwork that brands the space. (One even has a sculpture made from bicycle parts.) No self-respecting cyclist wants to hang out in a poorly lit, uninviting, eldritch space reminiscent of the local auto shop.
See Also: Multifamily market trends 2018: Demographic shifts reshape the residential landscape
Storage and workshop aspects cannot be ignored. Space for tools and repair equipment, storage racks with ample clearance for loading and unloading onto cars, accessory storage for helmets and bags, and an area for washing bikes must be accounted for.
Creating the perfect bicycle kitchen is all about finding the ideal balance between a workshop and a social space, said Jimmy Sinis, Senior Design Manager and Senior Associate, Stantec.
“Spaces like this foster a sense of community among residents,” said KTGY’s Sciarra. “To be considered a full bicycle kitchen, the design must incorporate comfortable seating, entertainment opportunities, and more. Then it’s more a kitchen than a repair space.”
Not every multifamily project needs a full bicycle kitchen, but bicycle storage of some kind has become a necessity for most new apartment and condo enterprises.
Using racks that stack bikes vertically saves space and enables more residents of Brooklyn’s Caesura mixed-use building, designed by Dattner Architects, to securely store their bicycles. Dattner Architects.
RATIOS, RATIOS, IT’S ALL ABOUT THE RATIOS
Then there are those pesky zoning requirements and resident-to-space ratios to consider. Having too little—or even too much—room can impair the functionality of bicycle storage areas.
In some jurisdictions, local zoning law dictates the required ratio of bike storage spaces to apartment units. Washington, D.C., requires one bike parking space for every three residential units (the same as LEED). Some designers feel that’s not enough bike storage space to meet residents’ expectations.
According to Sciarra, the ideal ratio depends a lot on where the project is located. In urban areas with easy access to stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues, one bicycle space for every two units should work. (According to Ira Mitchneck, AIA, Senior Associate, New York–based Dattner Architects has found this ratio to work just fine in its projects, which are primarily in dense urban areas.) In suburban locations where more residents probably have a car, the ratio can be lowered to one storage space for every four or five units, said Sciarra.
Determining the best ratio of bike storage spaces to automobile parking spaces is more complicated. Miami’s zoning code, known as Miami 21, is a form-based system that relies on New Urbanism and Smart Buildings principles. It requires one bike storage space for every 20 parking spaces. Other jurisdictions allow for fewer vehicle parking spaces as the number of bike storage spaces increases.
“We don’t believe the correlation is that simple,” Sciarra said. “In our experience, the number of parking spaces and bike storage is driven more by location and the bike culture of that location.”
Kephart’s Long agrees. “I don’t think we’re looking at any specific ratios,” he said. “Each project is so specific, based on adjacency to bike lanes and paths and the specific bike culture.” Meaning whether—and how much—residents use their bikes for commuting, shopping, recreation, and physical training. “It’s certainly not a one-size-fits-all approach,” said Long.
Related Stories
Wood | Jun 6, 2017
Shigeru Ban-designed residential structure poised to become world’s tallest hybrid timber building
The wood, concrete, and glass building will rise approximately 233 feet when finished.
Multifamily Housing | May 25, 2017
Luxury residential tower is newest planned addition to The Star in Frisco
The building will be within walking distance to the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters.
Multifamily Housing | May 22, 2017
Zaha Hadid Architects residential development takes a page from a classic Bradbury tale
The buildings are on an elevated platform and the surrounding walkways are suspended so as not to disturb the surrounding ecosystems.
Multifamily Housing | May 19, 2017
Above + Beyond: condo tower built atop parking structure
How designers figured out a way to nestle an 18-story condo tower on top of an existing parking structure in Hawaii.
Multifamily Housing | May 17, 2017
Swedish Tower’s 15th floor is reserved for a panoramic garden
C.F. Møller’s design was selected as the winner of a competition organized by Riksbyggen in Västerås.
Mixed-Use | May 17, 2017
The Lincoln Common development has begun construction in Chicago’s Lincoln Park
The mixed-use project will provide new apartments, condos, a senior living facility, and retail space.
High-rise Construction | May 15, 2017
Construction begins on 47-story luxury tower in Chicago’s South Loop
The glass tower is being built at 1326 S. Michigan Avenue.
Multifamily Housing | May 10, 2017
May 2017 National Apartment Report
Median one-bedroom rent rose to $1,012 in April, the highest it has been since January.
Multifamily Housing | May 10, 2017
Triple Treat: Developer transforms mid-rise into unique live-work lofts
Novus Residences’ revolutionary e-lofts concept offers tenants a tempting trio of options—‘live,’ ‘live-work,’ or ‘work’—all on the same floor.
Multifamily Housing | May 3, 2017
Silicon Valley’s high-tech oasis
An award-winning rental complex takes its design cues from its historic location in Silicon Valley.