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City of Sacramento Public Bicycle Rack Program

The City of Sacramento is launching a new pilot bicycle rack program.

The City’s Department of Transportation will install bicycle racks in the public right-of-way for businesses that have a need for bicycle parking.

Businesses requesting a City bicycle rack are encouraged to submit an application to the Parking Services Division by clicking the Bicycle Rack Request Application link below.  Due to limited funding, property owners requesting a City bicycle rack will have to meet the minimum requirements.  The City will give highest priority to property owners who meet the set criteria.

• Qualifying Criteria for City Sponsored Bicycle Racks
• Installation Guidelines for City Bicycle Racks
• Application Process
• Bicycle Rack Request Application
• Bicycle Parking Program Guidelines (full PDF version)

Qualifying Criteria for City Sponsored Bicycle Racks

The following are qualifying criteria for the program:

• Businesses must be currently in operation and have customers, employees or visitors whom utilize bicycles to travel to the business. 
• Business must have limited or no space on the property to provide bicycle parking
• Demonstrated a demand for bicycle parking must be evident
• Businesses that  are required to provide on-site bicycle parking as a condition of a planning entitlement or building permit do not qualify
• Only requests made by property owners or tenants for commercial uses will be considered.  This includes retail, restaurants, offices and businesses in mixed-use areas.
• Businesses must be located in Phase One Pilot Area.

Phase One Area Map

Phase One Street Locations (PDF)

Installation Guidelines for City Bicycle Racks

Public Right of Way: City sponsored racks will only be installed in the public right-of-way. Public bicycle racks will be installed at locations where there is insufficient space on adjacent private property that may be used for bicycle parking.

Visibility: The bicycle rack should be located in clear sight from within the building. Placement near a main entrance or a front window is often the best solution.

Surface Conditions: The ground surface for the rack may be mowed lawn, decomposed granite or any walk-able paved surface. The surface should be flat enough to properly park bicycles, but also sloped enough to prevent puddling.

Clearances:

• Typical bicycles are six feet long and two feet wide at the handle bars. Placement of the rack should include consideration of how it will work when bicycles are parked at the rack.
• The bicycle rack and secured bicycles cannot interfere with pedestrian traffic on the sidewalk and should be accessible to pedestrians.
• Installation of racks must not create a hazard or impediment to any existing uses.
• The rack cannot be located closer to the curb than two feet. When placed next to a curb that has on-street car parking, allow a 30-inch clear zone. Three feet from the curb is ideal, although in certain circumstances, the distance may be greater.
• Ideally, the bicycle rack should be located two to three feet from any existing street encroachments

Restrictions:

• The bicycle rack cannot be located adjacent to a blue curb zone (Disabled parking).
• The rack with bicycles parked at it shall maintain a two foot clearance from any street utility vaults, such as PG&E
• Racks shall be placed outside of the clear sight triangle required at all street intersections.
• The bicycle rack shall not be located to impede access to a store/building entrance or exit.
• The bicycle rack shall not be installed in a driveway.

Rack Design

Generally, the City of Sacramento will provide an “inverted-U” type design which allows bicycles to lean against the rack, providing at least two points of contact to prevent the bicycles from falling over. Areas of higher volume bicycle usage may require larger capacity racks which come in a multiple “inverted-U” design.   All bicycle parking racks are intended to be permanently fixed to the ground and require that the user provide a lock. Anchoring methods may be the embedded type or surface flange type. Anchors will be installed to prevent removal.

Application Process

Businesses meeting the qualifying criteria are encouraged to complete an application. Requests to participate in the Public Bicycle Rack Program will be subject to an eligibility screening through an application and interview process. All applications received will be initially screened for eligibility against the qualifying criteria.

Applicants will be notified shortly after submission of a completed application. If the application meets the qualifying criteria:

• The City of Sacramento will arrange an on-site consultation to evaluate the site area and verify that the qualifying criteria have been met.
• If the on-site verification meets the qualifying criteria, the City of Sacramento will then move forward and provide the property owner with details such as rack design, rack placement, rack installation, and site logistics in relation to the installation phase.