Bike Parking: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

have you ever found bike parking hidden behind a dumpster?

1 minute read

July 16, 2016, 11:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Bill Lindeke examines the challenges and lost potential of bike parking.

Every bicyclist knows the feeling of rolling up to a destination and finding a bad rack. Stranded and forced to make do with whatever’s around, you grudgingly lock to a pole, a fence, or (the worst case scenario) a young tree. It happens all the time, and especially at popular events, can make parking your bike into a chaotic free-for-all.

Lindeke  describes the trouble of finding bike parking as ironic, given how cheap it is compared to a car parking space ($100 versus $10,000, respectively),  before digging into a lesson in Bike Parking 101, touring the Twin Cities for examples of bike parking done well, in addition to DIY tips for overcoming the persistent lack of parking in many places around town. The final verdict of the article, however: "the future of bike parking is bright."

Thursday, July 14, 2016 in MinnPost

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Interior of Place Versailles mall in Montreal, Canada.

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units

Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

May 22, 2025 - CBC

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 28, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

AI-generated image of high-speed rail trail in elevated track in green hilly farmland.

Four Reasons Urban Planners Can’t Ignore AI

It’s no longer a question of whether AI will shape planning, but how. That how is up to us.

May 28, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Aerial view of Bend, Oregon.

Bend, Deschutes County Move to Restrict Major Homeless Encampment

City and county officials are closing off portions of an area known as Juniper Ridge where many unhoused residents find shelter, hoping to direct people to housing and supportive services.

2 hours ago - The Bulletin

Metro rail station in Mariachi Plaza with colorful glass pavilion in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California.

High Housing Costs Driving Down Transit Ridership in LA

When neighborhoods gentrify and displace lower-income residents, transit ridership suffers, new research shows.

3 hours ago - CALmatters

Des Moines, Iowa skyline viewed from a plaza with two flags on either side at dusk.

Iowa Legalizes Accessory Dwelling Units

A new law will allow property owners to build ADUs on single-family lots starting on July 1.

4 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.