Bicycle StorageJennifer C McBride

3137521

Pre-Major Project

R.M.I.T 4th year

Industrial Design

Introduction

• History

• Background

Objective

• Learning contract

Methodology

• Introduction

• Visualize system - validate

• Product Research

• Sketching

• 3D model making

• Material Research

Conclusion of project research and semester 1

Research design manufacture

Conclusion

Bibliography

Table of contents

Introduction

.In the early days of Melbourne’s history, the 1800’s and early

1900’s, bicycles were an integral part of the city’s transport

infrastructure. To a lesser extent their role as a transport op-

tion continues today. However, given the many environmen-

tal problems facing us currently it can be expected and hoped

that our future requires increasing our bicycle use and mini-

mising our car use. As well as minimising greenhouse gases,

bicycles are ideal for Melbourne with its fl at terrain and easily

traversed roads. They are a valid form of transport for people

of all ages and social classes. Unfortunately at present, Mel-

bourne does not have bicycle infrastructure which is suffi cient-

ly user-friendly to allow bicycles to become the sole, or even

the regular, transport option for most cyclists. Melbourne has

an increasing population of over a thousand a week (COM), a

growing economy resulting in increased energy use and rising

greenhouse levels.

One of the many ways to reduce greenhouse gases is with en-

vironmentally friendly options of transport which will reduce

carbon emissions. Although electric or duel propulsion vehi-

cles such as the Toyota Prius are being extensively researched

for consideration as the vehicles of the future, bicycles should

be an alternate and preferable option and for many people.

Horton et al (2007) comments that cycling remains high on the

transport agenda because of its potential to contribute to policy

on climate change, social inclusion, health, exercise, obesity

and sustainable development. Bicycles are cheap to acquire,

promote exercise and take up low volumes of space in compar-

ison to cars. Most importantly, except for their manufacturing

they produce no emissions hence contributing to a healthier

city. Hoogma et al (2002) reports that cars use signifi cantly

more energy, up to 80 times that of a bicycle. Unfortunately

for Melbourne, bicycles are not a viable form of transport cur-

rently. This is related to issues such as bicycle infrastructure

and facilities as well as social views.

A signifi cant problem is how to store bicycles if they are to

be used for regular commuting, perhaps in combination with

rail journeys. I want to explore in detail the use and need for

bicycle storage within an urban context and in particular within

metropolitan Melbourne. I will look at the need for individual

and group storage. This may be in house/offi ce space as well as

for a larger number of bikes perhaps up to 50 or so. These stor-

age areas may be hubs’ at popular commuting locations such as

the city, railway stations and universities.

History

One of the main reasons Melbourne is lacking

bicycle infrastructure is a consequence of deci-

sions made early in Melbourne’s history. Hud-

son (1978) states that by the year 1890 bicycles

were increasingly popular and one of the latest

trends in mobility. Bicycles gave the opportu-

nity for many to share roads. However in 1899

motor cars became popular and, infrastructure

was created for motor cars. Bicycles tended to

be forgotten. The production of cars and car in-

frastructure such as freeways, where bicycles

were not permitted, expanded at a rapid pace

leaving bicycles in the past.

If more infrastructure and utilities had been cre-

ated for bicycles it may have meant the promo-

tion of cycling leading to a healthier Melbourne

with less vehicle use and therefore less emis-

sions. Bicycle use not only helps tackle the is-

sue of health and climate change, it also helps

social views towards cyclists and emphasizing

that public space is for all. According to Horton

et al (2007) many car drivers are antagonistic

towards bicycles on main throughways. More

bicycle facilities mean a higher profi le for cy-

clists leading to more safety for cyclists and

more acceptance of bicyclists by the general

community.

‘Where cycling has a higher profi le, bicycle users are more accepted;

in others, where cycling on the road is rare, they are less tolerated,

and attitudes towards cycling can be hostile and even threatening.’ –

(Horton, Rosen & Cox 2007, p.21).

Today Melbourne has ‘more than 4000 cyclists traveling in and

out of the CBD each day’ (CITY OF MELB p.9). Existing in-

frastructure for bicycle storage is not suffi cient in metropolitan

Melbourne. According to a City of Melbourne report there are

1200 bicycle hoops for people to chain their bicycle up to. There

are very few bicycle lockers and cage systems scattered across

outer Melbourne. These few facilities are not the solution to the

problem of bike storage.

My project will investigate group bicycle storage of 20 to 50 bicy-

cles. I will be researching zones where multiple bikes are stored

such as at the end of public transport systems, around universi-

ties or work places and in particular around central Melbourne

(CBD.) In the same City of Melbourne report as above, about

60% of all cycling trips are undertaken for commuter purposes

into the CBD. The main concern with bicycle group storage will

be fi nding a solution to the problems of space, safety and ease of

use. The people who would use this type of resource would range

from every day commuters to shoppers and one time users. As

Hudson mentions in his book “….disadvantages …could be par-

tially overcome by improved design, includes the susceptibility

of bicycles to theft and their limited carrying capacity.” (Hudson

1978, p.7).

Background research

Objective / learning contract

My plan is to design a system where current problems are can-

celed out by having space to put the bike, a safe locking device

for the whole bike (not just for one wheel and the frame which

most bike locks accommodate for) and room to leave acces-

sories with the bike. Individual storage will be a way which a

bike can be stored in a specifi ed enclosed space such as an of-

fi ce space, a bedroom or garage. It is essential that the bicycle

storage space is minimal and compact. Hopefully the solution

to individual storage can be extended to group storage. The

same single storage product could be used multiple times in a

“hub” to cater for more bicycles.

Bicycles are frequently parked inappropriately and in ways

that use signifi cant amounts of ground space. The storage is

inappropriate if it take up too much room in the space provided

(e.g. fl at/offi ce) or causes offence to co-workers. Current bike

storage often includes being left in a walkway causing irrita-

tion as well as having safety considerations. Alternatively they

may be pushed outside which depending on placement could

lead to problems including weather damage, theft or vandal-

ism.

Appropriate storage means reducing the space allocated to a

bike. Bicycles can be hung up in any direction with no damage

to the bike - they don’t need to sit horizontal and use up the

precious ground space. But at the same time they must be easy

to put into that storage and easily accessible for the bicyclists.

If they are diffi cult to get in and out of storage it will lead to

decreased use of bicycles.

My plan is to design an individual bicycle storage unit which

is space effi cient for small areas and is easy to use. If I fi nd that

to be effi cient the bicycle needs to be off-fl oor then I would

investigate the need for a mechanical/pulley system product.

This would enable the user to be able to lift the bicycle to torso

or head height for off-fl oor storage. Otherwise many people

would not have the strength or ability to store their bicycle and

it may lead to personal injury.

The outcome will be a design and working prototype of indi-

vidual bicycle storage and a system and prototype of group

bicycle storage. By creating more bicycle facilities I hope to

promote cycling, creating better social views towards cyclists,

lower impact environmentally and a healthier Melbourne for

the future.

Methodology

To produce the outcome of a system for group and individual

bicycle storage it is necessary to use a variety of different meth-

odologies throughout the project. I will be using qualitative sur-

veys such as group discussions, observation or fi eld notes and

secondary research such as publications of governmental and

non-governmental institutions, free access data on the internet

or in newspapers and magazines. They will help me understand

whether or not the end product is fulfi lling a need in the market

place and tackling current issues of bicycle storage for individu-

als and groups. Most importantly all this research needs to be

backed up with hands-on studies and observation within Mel-

bourne CBD.

A product cannot be designed to meet all the needs of a tar-

get market properly unless the target market has been included

throughout the design process. I will be undertaking a mix of ap-

propriate activities including drawing, observing, scenario role

playing and participatory research to make sure I get involved

in looking into the bicycle society of Melbourne. For example,

documenting how a variety of people use existing bike lockers,

racks and storage facilities within an urban environment. It’s im-

portant to observe the different areas and take into consideration

the problems encountered such as space, security, social trends

and ease of use.

Visualizing the system

To fi nd out the major problems with a bicycle trip into Melbourne a range

of participatory, observational and interview research are used to fi nd out

the concerning issues. By recording the experience of a variety of people

storing bicycles in the city specifi c problems became apparent. The fi rst

problem is fi nding a suitable place to safely store a bicycle for the period

of time spent in the city. A ‘D’ lock can be used to chain the bicycle up

to a pole, bike ring on the street or under a building however the risks in

leaving a bicycle in a public area include theft, vandalism, damage due to

weather and the associated irritation of removing and carrying all the bike

accessories. The accessories include lights, drink bottle, helmet, pump,

panniers, cleats (shoes) and back pack. These need to be carried for the

rest of the day even though the items will not be used again until return-

ing to the bicycle.

After the bike is chained, stripped of accessories and left on the street the

bicyclist then needs to fi nd a shower to clean up for the next part of the

day. Many cyclists have access to a shower and/or bathroom at work or

university. Otherwise the options considered may have to be paying for a

gym’s shower or having a ‘face wipe’ shower. At the end of the day it’s a

matter of returning to the place the bicycle was left and hoping it’s there

with everything intact. Then attaching the many bike accessories back

onto the bicycle frame and storing the heavy ‘D’ lock back in the bag to

be carried. This is not a pleasant experience and it should not have to be

so user unfriendly. The system discourages the use of bicycles which is

defi nitely not the right message to be sending out.

To work out the most space effi cient way of storing a bicycle I used statistics

from Australian Standards to fi nd the average bicycle size and then used math-

ematics and participation research to measure how much fl oor/ground space a

bicycle will take up in different positions. Also I considered how user friendly

are the physical actions required for turning a bicycle into different positions.

Anyone who rides a bike should be able to store a bicycle. Eg. If a cyclist rides a

large mountain bike which weights 20kg then that same person should be able to

store the bicycle with ease. Otherwise I would need to investigate an automated

way to store the bicycle.

The storage options are described on the next page.

• A bicycle off the fl oor - takes up no fl oor space and therefore the

most space effi cient way of storing a bicycle. This may be on the roof or

frame. But in terms of user friendly storage any off-fl oor storage product

would need a mechanical/pulley system to enable the user to be able to lift

the bicycle to torso or head height. Otherwise many people would not have

the strength or ability to store their bicycle and it may lead to personal in-

jury to the rotator cuff (upper shoulder muscle).

• Horizontal storage – the way many users are storing their bicy-

cle currently. It is usually the easiest way to store a bicycle since it rolls

into position. It takes up around 1700cm by 700cm fl oor space. But as my

project is about reducing storage space I need to look for alternatives.

• Vertical storage – at 1200mm by 700cm fl oor space is a compro-

mise between horizontal and off fl oor space. It takes up less space than hor-

izontal storage and an off-fl oor system would not usually be viable unless a

mechanical/pulley system is available. I tested the practicality of storing a

bike vertically. I found that putting a bicycle onto its front is relatively dif-fi cult but turning the bicycle onto its back wheel

is reasonably simple and all the participants could

do it with ease. This means a vertical bicycle stand

where the user manually turns the bicycle on its

back wheel is acceptable so that an automated de-

vice should not be needed.

Existing bicycle storage products range from manual individual bicycle

storage to mechanical multi-story storage complexes.

In my research I have used observations, the internet and other sources

to investigate a range of individual or home bicycle storage systems as

well as large automated systems. I looked at existing storage systems

and products in Melbourne, Brisbane and other cities outside Australia.

These included manually operated systems in Germany and high-tech

automated public bicycle storage systems in Barcelona, Spain and Tokyo.

Several of the systems matched with the direction of my ideas.

Below I describe the storage facilities most relevant to my research. All

of the storage systems and products are on my Blog with pictures and

videos plus many more products I have researched. The blog address is

jenscorner09@wordpress.com

Melbourne public bicycle storage

Parkiteer

Is a cage system run by Connex together with Bicycle Victoria. The Bicy-

cle Victoria website claims there are currently 33 cages positioned at train

stations throughout Victoria. The cages can fi t up to 26 bicycles. Signing

up is done online and costs from $85 (concession) to $120 a year, includ-

ing a $50 deposit. Access to the cage is via an electronic swipe card. The

cage is an enclosed metal grid with all bicycles held undercover. The

see-through grid enables safe access at all hours but is problematic since

the bikes are in full view. Commuter bikes are usually expensive bikes

and the visibility creates an enticement to theft. There are other problems.

Product Research

Whilst the cage is enclosed and roofed, its design means

it is not completely weather-proof. Also that although the

cage should fi t 26 bicycles, the way most cyclists place

their bicycles means many fewer are held, rarely over 20.

There are also insuffi cient available. They are only at spe-

cifi c stations and none at all situated in the CBD. So they

do not so do not accommodate commuters who ride into

the city without catching any public transport. (Bicycle

Victoria 2009, Article 1)

Station Bicycle lockers

There are over a hundred lockers at train stations according

to Connex. They supply a secure way of storing a bicycle

and accessories. They are free to hire but require a $100

bond. They are hired for a 3 month period and can be re-

newed. A problem is the large amount of space required for

just one bicycle and limited numbers per station, between

4 and 20. If all are booked there are none available to other

bicyclists even if currently empty. This is not an inclusive

design as it is only available to the 4 to 20 hirers per station

who hold the lockers for 3 months at a time. It is of no use

to tourists, occasional bicyclists or those unable to book

a locker if all are already reserved. Also children without

parent consent are not able to use the system. (Connex

Melbourne Trains Australia 2009, Article 1)

Bicycle Hoops

According to a City of Melbourne report there are 1200 bicycle hoops throughout the CBD for

people to chain their bicycle up to. The hoops have problems of vandalism, theft, weather dam-

age as well as having to take all bicycle accessories when left. As well, frequently and according

to Australian Standards regulations, the hoops are not used properly. The photograph to the left

shows the hoops on Swanson St outside RMIT University. There are more than two bicycles to

some of the hoops and in the other photo the bicycle is breaching onto the road.

Other Cage systems

These are similar to the Parkiteer but owned by private companies and not for the general public.

They have the same problems as the Parkiteer such as theft because of visibility and the space

not used correctly.

Other Storage Systems

Examples of Hand/Manually Operated Bicycle Storage

Bike Storage Ceiling Lift - a pulley system that lifts and lowers your

bicycle up and down from the ceiling. The pulley system is attached to

the roof by screws. This does not give freedom to frequently and quickly

access the bicycle plus it needs the use of a roof into which it can be

screwed. (storeyourbike 2008, video)

Double-decker Parking – used for storage in Muenster, Germany. The

system is a kind of multi story bicycle racking area. The bottom bike is

stored horizontal and the top bicycle is pushed up manually with the help

of a metal guide. It looks “clunky” to use and the security measures did

not appear adequate. (Raheelkhan 2007, video)

Vertical Bicycle Storage - a metal frame you wheel your bike onto and

then ‘fl ip’ it vertically. It is a clever way to put a bike on its back wheel

but because the frame is long and clunky it is not as easy to use as you

might expect. Plus the metal storage frame only secures the wheels and

is not connected to the rest of the bike. So it could be easy to steal unless

the user brings their own lock which to some extent defeats the purpose

of using it. (29yuli1951 2007, video)

Veloglide bicycle storage – is bicycle storage for your home and garage.

It hangs your bicycle from the roof and upside down. The problem is

you have to lift the bike upside down and over your head to put the two

wheels onto hooks. The hooks are on runners meaning that you can bunch

them up or push them apart. (Veloglide 2007, video)

Intricate bicycle lock.- from the blog called ‘ThinkSketch’. The writer

has some interesting sketches about removing and connecting parts of

the bicycle together to make a bicycle lock. One of his sketches uses the

bicycle seat and bar to push though the handle bars to secure the bicycle

to a street pole. I like how he has ‘thought outside the box’. However

it is for a special bike and I want a storage product for the “normal”

everyday bike. (Thinksketch 2007, Article 1)

Examples of Automated Bicycle Stor-

age

Biceberg - an automatic underground bike

park created in Spain. It collects bikes from,

and returns them to street level. It can also be

used to store accessories such as a helmet or

backpack. It is activated with a card and per-

sonal pin number. It takes about 30 seconds

for both storage and retrieval. It can hold an-

ywhere from 23 to 92 bicycle depending on

model size. (ma-s@biceberg 2005, para. 1-4)

Tokyo bicycle parking tower - bicycles are

placed on a small platform. The user hits a

button and the system will automatically store

their bicycle by ‘grabbing’ and lift their bike

into an underground parking garage that can

accommodate up to 9,400 bikes. When the

user retrieves his bicycle, it only takes 23

seconds to accomplish the task. The parking

system costs 100 yen (around one dollar) for

a single use, or 1,800 yen (about 18 dollars)

for a monthly pass. The video link below is

in Japanese but the visual gives the concept.

(nihonnogenki 2008, video)

The Bike Tree - bike storage which resembles large

metallic tree objects. It hooks the front wheel of the

bike and raises it to the top of the ‘pole’ to make an

aesthetic “tree” shape. The user accesses the system

with a smart card and the bicycle rolls up or down the

‘Bike Tree.’ Only with the user’s unique smart card

can the hook bring that bicycle back down. This make

theft and vandalism unlikely because the bicycle is

out of reach. (upcycle 2006, video)

Examples of Bicycle Storage Services

McDonalds Cycle Center, Millennium Park facility in Chicago - situated in a large

park in Chicago it offers services such as secure bicycle parking, lockers, showers

and towel service, bicycle rental, bicycle repair shop, guided bicycle tours and bi-

cycle camps. (McDonalds Cycle Center 2009, para 1-8)

Cycle2City in Brisbane (formerly the King George Square Cycle Center) - a fully-

featured garage for the CBD bicycle commuters similar to the Millennium Park

facility in Chicago. It offers secure storage, showers, hairdryers and lockers. A cafe

and repair shop is planned. It is only open for commuters so not open weekends or

week nights. (Cycle2City 2009)

These initial sketches will help me achieve refi ning my concept and my visual outcome. Hope-

fully the sketches can also be used to stimulate discussion with others regarding my storage ideas. Sketching

The four sketches are of a storage stand where a bicycle could be stored on its

back wheel vertically. The sketches have faults mainly to do with how to stop

the bicycle wheel moving and the bicycle falling but I consider it is part of the

process allowing me to investigate and expand different ideas.

The two cover sketches are working on the idea that I could make a bicycle

cover which fi ts and secures over the bicycle when stored which will prevent

vandalism, theft and to some degree protect from adverse weather conditions.

I am investigating the concept and the materials to use with this idea.

Initial models will help me to refi ne

my concept and my visual outcome.

As with the sketches, the models can

be used to stimulate discussion of my

ideas with others. The material I am us-

ing is a modeling dough. When warmed

to body temperature or higher it is easy

to distort and mold. It is then possible to

quickly and easily produce a 3D visual

of an idea.

3D modeling

Card Model

First attempt at full size

model

Stand:

Where the stand/storage product will be placed determines what ma-

terial will be used. If placed outside the material needs to be sturdy

enough to withstand weather, time, theft and vandalism. Therefore

the material will most likely be sheet metal. If the design was for a

more restricted area and under cover, such as in a building or house,

then the material could be plastic and maybe injection molded.

Material Research

Cover:

As mentioned above, I am researching materials for a bicycle cover. It

needs to be strong and durable enough to withstand vandalism, theft and

weather conditions but it also has to be suffi ciently fl exible to fi t the ma-

jority of bicycle shapes and still be space effi cient.

Examples of materials include:

- Kefon which is a mixture of synthetic fi bers and stainless steel. It is

used as a glove material in model making laboratories to prevent cuts

from Stanley knives. The material can withhold a large amount of pres-

sure and can fl ex. It can be cut but it has to be pushed against a hard

backing to allow penetration. This material would be suitable to use

because if a thief was trying to cut it they would have to use the frame of

the bicycle as the hard backing and the bicycle would more than likely

break. Plus the material is a thick grey colour and opaque so nothing is

visible through the material. Hopefully the lack of visibility would deter

theft or vandalism.

- Chain mail which is a very strong material made from metal. It is

used in butcher shops as gloves when cutting meat and in large machin-

ery workshops. The material is movable because it is made from many

small metal links. Unlike kefon, it is possible to see though the chain

mail as it has many small holes. But theft and vandalism should not be

a problem because chain mail is virtually impossible to cut without an

angle grinder.

By creating more bicycle facilities I hope to promote cycling, creating better social

views towards cyclists, lower impact environmentally and a healthier Melbourne

for the future. From my research so far I feel there may be a gap in the market for

a bicycle storage system which is user friendly, space effi cient, safe and secure.

The outcome of this project will be a design and working prototype of individual

bicycle storage and a system and prototype of group bicycle storage. I realize there

is no one inclusive design which encapsulates everyone’s needs. But although

there are several storage systems in Melbourne improvements are needed for bikes

to become a viable form of transport to compete with cars and public transport.

Problems with existing bicycle systems include insuffi cient spots available, no

provision for accessories and vulnerable to theft and vandalism

Conclusion of Project Research

I have learnt though conducting this research that there is a wider variety of ways to store

bicycles than I had imagined previously. After narrowing down the possibilities for the

individual storage I am looking at making a vertical bicycle stand with a cover which

is fl exible enough to fi t most bikes and will protect from weather, theft and vandalism.

After making a space- effi cient individual storage I hope to be able to extend the idea

with multiple units of this type to be a large scale storage system. It is clear that for my

large scale system for fi nance, time and other reasons I cannot attempt a model of a fully

automated system such as in the European and Japanese examples written about in the

main area of this report.

Horton, D Rosen P & Cox, P 2007, Cycling and society, Publishing Ltd,

England.

Hoogma, R Kemp, R Schot, J & Truffer, B 2002, Experimenting for Sus-

tainable Transport, The approach of strategic Niche Management. Spoon

Press, New York.

Hudon, M 1978, The Bicycle planning book, T. & A. Constable Ltd,

Edinburgh

City of Melbourne, 2009, Walking, Cycling and skating- Bicycle plan

2007-2011. City of Melbourne. Viewed March 24th 2009 http://www.

melbourne.vic.gov.au/info.cfm?top=70&pa=1154&pg=3302

City of Melbourne, 2009, Research- How many people live in Mel-

bourne. City of Melbourne. Viewed April 1st 2009.

http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/info.cfm?top=91&pg=870

Melbourne’s population boom. The Age. Viewed April 1st 2009.

By Melissa Marino, Tim Colebatch. March 24, 2005

http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Melbournes-population-

booms/2005/03/23/1111525222758.html

McBride J, 2009, My Pre-Major Project. Word Press. Started March

23rd 2009. jenscorner09@wordpress.com

Bicycle Victoria, 2009, Parkiteer, Bicycle Victoria, Viewed 1st June

2009, http://www.bv.com.au/bicycle-parking/43422/

Connex Melbourne Trains Australia, 2009, Bicycle Storage, Connex

Melbourne Trains Australia, Viewed 1st March, http://www.connexmel-

bourne.com.au/index.php?id=59

Ma-s@biceberg , 2005, Biceburg automatic parking. Viewed 25 March

2009, http://www.biceberg.es/INGLES/m_producto.htm

Raheelkhan, 2007, Luxury cycling parking in Germany’s top cycling

city, YouTube, Viewed 31st March 2009, http://www.youtube.com/

watch?v=A1bgcJMIV8Q

29yuli1951, 2007, Vertical Bicycle Parking, YouTube, Viewed 31st

March 2009, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjUAjJ5w5cc

Veloglide, 2007, Veloglide Bicycle Storage, Viewed 31st March 2009,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOVVjzbb8aQ

Thinksketch, 2007, Simplifying the urban bicycle experience, Word-

Press.com, Viewed 29 April 2009. http://ecsketchportfolio.blogspot.com

Nihonnogenki, 2008, Tokyo Bicycle Parking Tower, YouTube. Viewed

31st March, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE4fvwTBtno

Upcycle, 2006, A New Way to Park Bicycles. Hang them in a Bike

Tree!, YouTube, Viewed 31st March 2009, http://www.youtube.com/

watch?v=OcSD5MsQuVo

McDonalds Cycle Center, 2009, Services, McDonald Cycle Center,

Viewed 2nd June 2009, http://www.chicagobikestation.com/services.htm

Bibliography-

Cycle2City, 2009, Cycle2city Start Work Well, Viewed 13 March 2009,

http://www.cycle2city.com.au/site.php?content=home