Cargo Bike Docks

Reducing Dependency on Cars

As more cyclists look to reduce their dependence on cars, they are stuck with a problem; how to transport the gear, kids, pets, etc. that they would normally load into their vehicle? In this case, cargo bikes step in to provide the solution. With numerous styles available and near ubiquitous utilization of electric pedal assist motors, these bikes have become a viable option to limit or eliminate the need for a car for trips and hauling people and their gear around town.

How do we park cargo bikes?

But with these oversized rides there arises a new question; how do we park them? As these cargo bikes are much larger than a traditional bike, 6’x2’ floor space used in most bike parking standards is no longer adequate. Many cities have begun to include additional requirements into their bike parking guidelines to accommodate these bikes creating a new standard of 10’x3’ for cargo bikes and trailers. More and more municipalities including Seattle, Portland and Boston now require that 5% of parking spaces in bike rooms be these larger sized spaces.

Images from Seattle and Portland’s bike parking guidelines show the larger footprints now needed to accommodate cargo bikes

While this is great for assuring adequate space for cyclists utilizing these larger bikes, the actual bike racks used in these spaces have remained the same and may not be the ideal option. Therefore Saris has added a new rack to our lineup, designed specifically to cater to cargo bikes with our aptly named Cargo Bike Dock.

Larger Cargo Bikes or those with trailers often struggle to park within in the spaces set aside for standard bikes

Lower Profile than Typical Hoop and Staple Racks

An integral portion of the design is the low-slung profile which is far shorter than the typical hoop and staple racks typically used in these floor spaces. This lower silhouette discourages more traditional bikes from parking on the racks. A standard bike parked here would be tipped over close to the ground to lean on the rack, whereas the cargo bikes are able to stand upright on their own. This mean that these larger parking spaces are kept open for the outsized bikes they were intended to park.

Similar low slung Cargo Bike specific racks have been available for some time in Europe where these bikes have been popular for years. But Saris improved the design further to better accommodate larger bikes with the addition of a set of unique pivoting lock bars. This extends the locking points away from the main body of the rack. The result is that bikes with bulkier cargo bins which usually struggle to get their frame close to the main body of the rack can still have an accessible locking location.

Saris’ unique pivoting lock bars provide a more accessible locking point for bikes with bulkier cargo platforms

With the addition of the Cargo Bike Dock to our lineup, Saris continues to create cycling infrastructure to meet the diverse needs of cyclist and the broad variety of bikes they ride.