Frequently Asked Questions about bicycle parking

The proposed development code includes for the first time a provision for bicycle parking at most businesses and other developments. One of the best ways to encourage more bicycling is to provide people with safe and convenient bike parking at places like libraries, stores, restaurants, etc.

Real estate developers have agreed to support the requirement customer bike racks at the entrance to businesses, but still oppose secure, weather-protected parking for employees and/or apartment/condo residents. This type of parking can be anything from a simple bike rack inside a parking garage or basement, all the way to a special bike storage room or locker.  It’s up to the developer to decide what’s best for them.

Frequently asked questions about bicycle parking:

Cycling is a valid transportation choice. Just as automobiles require parking, cycling for transportation purposes requires accessible, secure, and convenient parking for bicycles. Following are answers to frequently asked questions.

1. Why does Kansas City need bicycle parking?
2. Why is bicycle parking being considered now in Kansas City?
3. What is short-term bike parking and what does it cost?
4. What is long-term bike parking and what does it cost?
5. Does the development code require showers and changing rooms for people who commute by bicycle?
6. Should long-term bike parking be required for residential buildings?
7. Are existing buildings affected by bicycle parking provisions in the development code?
8. Why not just let the private market decide when, where, and how to provide bike parking?
9. What are the economic development implications of bicycle parking?
10. What U.S. cities require bicycle parking?
11. Would bicycle parking be implemented slowly in Kansas City?
12. How is bicycle parking calculated in the development code?
13. What developments are excluded from the bicycle parking requirements?
14. Are there currently gaps in the latest version of the development code for bicycle parking?
15. Does bicycle parking foster multi-modal transportation choice?
16. What environmental benefits are associated with bicycle parking?
17. Does Kansas City’s bicycle parking code simply copy another city’s ordinance?

Why does Kansas City need bicycle parking?

Bike parking is a major factor in whether individuals choose to use a bike for commuting to work or for running errands. A part of our city’s transportation infrastructure, secure and accessible bicycle parking should be provided wherever people work and live. Forty percent (40%) of trips people make during the day occur within 2 miles from where they live; 80% of trips are within 5 miles (Andy Clarke, League of American Bicyclists).  This means the bicycle is an ideal mode of transportation for a huge portion of the trips we all make in our daily lives.

Lack of bicycle parking is one of the most frequent complaints of bicyclists who wish to ride for transportation purposes. Adding bicycle parking – both short-term and long-term parking – to multi-family residential, commercial and institutional buildings throughout the city is one of the easiest and least expensive things Kansas City can do to make the city more vibrant and bicycle-friendly. Studies report the lack of secure parking facilities at the workplace is a deterrent to bicycling commuting (U.S. Dept. Transportation, Research and Innovative Technology Administration, 1983).

Engineers, architects, developers, and planners know how to design and construct buildings to include bicycle parking to allow people to be less dependent on cars to go to work, errands and entertainment. Opportunities to incorporate bike parking are continuous: within the Downtown loop alone, 20,000 new residential units will be added in the next several years (Downtown Council, 12/17/07) and construction of a 35,000 square foot grocery store within the loop has just been completed.

Using a bike for transportation significantly helps households during economic recession and volatile energy costs and reduces the community’s need for expensive automobile parking – all while encouraging active, healthy lifestyles. Many trips are also faster by bicycle than by car, especially short trips under a few miles.

Why is bicycle parking being considered now in Kansas City?

The city’s development code is undergoing revision for the first time in over fifty years. The city’s 2001 comprehensive plan, FOCUS Kansas City, identified bicycle parking as a necessary element to encourage multi-modal transportation choice in our community.

What is short-term bike parking and what does it cost?

Short-term parking is a bicycle rack near the building entrance to stores, offices, restaurants, schools, banks, libraries and apartments. Serving visitors and customers, the racks provide a safe and easy place to secure a bike. The racks encourage people to use a bike for quick, short trips that may otherwise require a car.

The “inverted-U” rack design costs about $120 and accommodates two bicycles.

What is long-term bike parking and what does it cost?

Stays of several hours or longer – as is the case for employees or apartment residents – require bike parking that provides security and weather protection. Flexible options for long-term parking include a locked storage room, a sheltered space behind a store, an enclosed bicycle locker, or a bike rack within view of a parking garage attendant.

Residents of apartments, lofts or condos, need secure indoor parking to keep their bikes safe and dry overnight. Long-term parking can be as simple as a locked storage room with ready access to the street. Even a small space – the area under a stairwell, a closet, or dead space in a hallway – can provide parking for several bikes.

Long-term parking costs range from near zero for access to an existing storage room, to installing parking racks in a garage ($120 for two bicycles), to installing an enclosed bicycle locker at a cost of approximately $1,000 for two bicycles.

For comparison, construction of structured automobile parking (i.e., garage) costs about $30,000-$40,000 per automobile space (not including the cost of land, which raises the cost even higher). The high cost of automobile garages must often be subsidized with taxpayer dollars (e.g., tax-increment financing).

Does the development code require showers and changing rooms for people who commute by bicycle?

The code offers an incentive to developments that provide showers and changing facilities by allowing automobile parking to be reduced by 15%. Such facilities are not required by the new code; rather, developers are given an incentive to provide them.

Should long-term bike parking be required for residential buildings?

As provided in the current draft of the code, long-term bicycle parking will be required only in “multi-unit” buildings, defined as buildings of 3 or more dwelling units. The ratio of required parking is 1 long-term bike parking space per 3 dwelling units. Thus, a triplex building would require storage space for only a single bike. A 30-unit building would require storage for 10 bicycles.

Moving a bicycle through the lobby of an apartment building, up the elevator, down the hallway, to be hung by a hook in a living room or bedroom, is inconvenient, disruptive to other tenants, and can damage finish materials. Storing bicycles on balconies is unaesthetic and does not protect the bike from the elements.

In contrast, storing a bike in a secure room on the ground floor near the street or in a secure, weatherproof locker encourages its use. Ready access of the bicycle to an entrance means it will be used frequently for trips of short duration rather than relying upon a car.

Are existing buildings affected by bicycle parking provisions in the development code?

No. The bicycle parking provisions in the new code will apply only to newly constructed buildings or for renovations where the land use is converted, e.g., from a warehouse to residential lofts. Existing buildings that do not entail a change of use are “grandfathered” and, therefore, not subject to bicycle parking requirements. (Such existing buildings are “legally non-conforming”.)

Why not just let the private market decide when, where, and how to provide bike parking?

Kansas City has many examples where the private market has provided long-term bicycle parking in residential and commercial developments, including H & R Block headquarters, the Library Lofts apartments, and elsewhere. But market factors alone are insufficient to consistently ensure that a consistent standard is maintained. The city’s Northland bears evidence of poor and inadequate development standards, and has resulted in discontinuous sidewalks, piecemeal sections of curb and gutter, and inadequate storm drainage facilities.

Automobile parking is widely available today precisely because it has been required at all new and major renovations of residential and commercial developments. Left solely to “market” forces, we would not enjoy today’s network of air, public transit, railway, and roadway infrastructure.

What are the economic development implications of bicycle parking?

Competing cities that are bicycle-friendly have a comparative advantage over Kansas City.

Businesses looking to relocate or expand compare the amenities offered by Kansas City to those of cities of similar size. Job growth in our economy is greatest among small businesses and entrepreneurs. To attract and retain a productive and energetic work force, Kansas City must offer lifestyle amenities that attract young, educated and talented employees.

What U.S. cities require bicycle parking?

Cities and counties across the country in all types of climate and terrain require bike parking, including Denver, Springfield (MO), Indianapolis, Fayetteville (AK), Los Angeles, Miami, Madison (WI), Atlanta, Stillwater (OK), Missoula (MT), Seattle, Reno (NV), Santa Clara (CA), Portland, Iowa City and Des Moines. Chicago has installed over 10,500 bicycle racks throughout the city. In Indianapolis, cyclists can locate a bicycle locker on-line and phone ahead to electronically reserve the locker.

Would bicycle parking be implemented slowly?

Yes. The nature of development dictates that bicycle parking will be implemented incrementally over many years. High-density, compact areas of the city, such as the Downtown loop, would likely experience more bike parking since this is an area of relatively concentrated new construction and redevelopment activity.. The vast majority of the city is not experiencing rapid growth, , therefore, bicycle parking will occur slowly over decades.

How is bicycle parking calculated in the development code?

Short-term bicycle parking is generally required in a ratio equal to 10% of the development’s automobile parking requirement. Long-term bicycle parking is generally based on the square footage of the nonresidential use.

NOTE: The following examples reflect the 10/6/08 draft of the proposed development code:

Multi-Unit Residential – 30 units (e.g., Conover Place in River Market)
Short-term for visitors: 6 spaces
Long-term for tenants: 10 spaces

Grocery Store – 35,000 sq ft (e.g., Downtown at 13th St and Main)
Short-term for visitors: 9 spaces
Long-term for employees: 8 spaces

Drive-through Restaurant – 5,000 sq ft (e.g., McDonald’s)
Short-term for visitors: 5 spaces
Long-term for employees: 2 spaces

Restaurant – 10,000 sq ft (e.g., Cheese Cake Factory)
Short-term for visitors: 10 spaces
Long-term for employees: 2 spaces

Retail Store – 25,000 sq ft (e.g., Borders)
Short-term for visitors: 6 spaces
Long-term for employees: 3 spaces

Big-box Retail – 125,000 sq ft (e.g., Home Depot; 200 employees)
Short-term for visitors: 33 spaces
Long-term for employees: 14 spaces

Hotel – 80 rooms (e.g., Holiday Inn Express)
Short-term for visitors: 4 spaces
Long-term for employees: 3 spaces

Warehouse – 40,000 sq ft with 40 employees
Short-term for visitors: 3 spaces
Long-term for employees: 1 space

What developments are excluded from the city’s proposed bicycle parking requirements?

Currently excluded from long-term bike parking requirements:

• Churches
• Recreation centers

Entirely excluded from all bike parking requirements:

• Single-family residences and subdivisions
• Residential duplexes
• Agricultural uses
• Utilitarian and related facilities where people neither work for extended periods nor commonly visit
• Fire and police stations, airports, convention centers and other publicly-owned facilities. (The development code only pertains to private development.)

Are there currently gaps in the latest version of the development code for bicycle parking?

Yes. As drafted, only 50% of the long-term bicycle parking must be sheltered from rain and snow. All long-term bike parking must be protected from precipitation.

Multi-unit residential buildings only require long-term bike parking in a 1:3 ratio (one long-term space per 3 dwelling units). Other cities require long-term parking for apartment buildings in a 1:1 ratio, that is, one long-term space for each dwelling unit.

Community centers, recreational centers and churches, are currently excluded from long-term parking.

Does bicycle parking foster multi-modal transportation choice?

Yes. Convenient, well-located bicycle parking enables a smooth transition between modes of transportation. Nearly all buses operated by the Area Transportation Agency (ATA) and Johnson County are equipped with bicycle racks. A resident should be able to walk to a building’s bike storage, cycle to a transit stop, ride the bus, and cycle the remaining leg to an employment destination. Successful multi-modal transportation means effortless transfer between these modes – walking, cycling and transit.

What environmental benefits are associated with bicycle parking?

Motor vehicles are one of the largest sources of air pollution in the Kansas City. Cycling is a transportation alternative that helps reduce ozone emissions that contribute to the area’s non-compliance under the Clean Air Act. Automobiles burn fossil fuels that create CO2 that contributes to global warming and produce toxic substances that pollute the ground, air and water. Automobiles also produce noise pollution.

Why doesn’t Kansas City simply copy another city’s bicycle parking ordinance?

Bicycle parking for Kansas City must address the particular needs of our community. The current ordinance is the outcome of a three-year effort and included five public hearings before the City Planning Commission, which approved the provisions in 2008. The proposed bike parking provisions borrow successful elements from elsewhere, but ultimately are tailored to work for Kansas City.