Bike rack designs have evolved noticeably in response to changes in both design and security needs. The original flimsier bike rack designs, such as the still-prevalent schoolyard “dishrack,” is now challenged with easily removed “quick-release” bicycle wheels and seats, and the emergence of bicycle “chop-shops” with teams of parts-strippers, the need is for bike racks that provide multiple locking points, including the bike frame and both wheels.

Most of the new bike rack designs, such as the Hitch 2 and Bike Rail are based on ordinary horizontal railings. These bike racks use a horizontal bar with vertical supports for additional locking points. The Ribbon Rack, though less railing-like, provides numerous locking points. Owing to its more stylish design, the ribbon rack is popular with architects and building owners. The Hitch 2, Bike Rail and the Ribbon Rack are all sturdy, virtually impossible to break, and manufactured in the U.S. These can easily be bolted to the sidewalk or set in concrete.

The aforementioned traditional bike racks can still be found at certain locations, such as schools, where thefts are not a grave issue.

The later versions of bike racks come with an array of additional features that one is certain to find a bike rack that would meet your specific needs. The new bike racks also come in a variety of different designs. Therefore, when setting out to purchase a bike rack, you should be very clear about your precise requirements. Considerations should include how secure the bike rack should be as well as its durability, if it would be exposed to weather elements. Manufacturers of bike racks are continually developing new methods to increase the security for their bike racks.

An abundance of bike racks are found in Europe owing to the considerable number of people using bikes as a means of transportation. Nonetheless, it is interesting to note that most bike racks found in Europe are only suitable for bikers to lock one wheel to the rack. European manufacturers of bike racks have devised many innovative designs in the bike racks themselves to counter this. For example, there are bike racks in which the bikes must be parked at an angle so that the handlebars are staggered.

The elegant and simple bike rack designs found in Europe do not enable the bike to be locked securely. Some designs of bike racks do not afford the use of the U-lock. Manufacturers of bike racks in the United States are continually carrying out research on new and better methods to provide additional security to the bikes when locked into a bike rack.

Some of the types of bike racks found in the U. S. today are:
- The RAIL-TYPE RACK: This type of unassuming bike rack has no sharp edges and calls for minimum maintenance. The rail-type bike rack can hold two bikes and is made of 2” galvanized pipe, 54 inches long, 32 inches high.
- The INVERTED-U RACK, apart from being narrower, is very similar to the rail-type rack.
- The CORA RACK is available in various capacities and is therefore more popular than the two types of bike racks mentioned previously.
- The BICYCLE-CIRCLE RACK is a type of bike rack that could convert meter posts into bike racks.
- The GRAVITY BIKE STORAGE RACK is a great space-saver for families with multiple bikers. These bike racks hold two bikes securely in place by the use of gravity.
- The QUAD BIKE RACK can hold upto four bikes vertically in limited space. This freestanding bike rack is another space-saver; it requires no drilling or mounting and has an independent adjustment arm which keeps all the bikes on it at the same level. Some other types of racks are as follows:

	Fold Down Hitch Bike Rack
	Hitch Carriers / Cargo Carriers
	RV Bumper Mount Bike Rack
	Standard Hitch Bike Rack
	Tire Mount Bike Rack
	Towable Hitch Bike Rack

The Bike Tree type of bike rack is designed in the form of a tree in which several bicycles are mechanically hoisted from the ground to be stored in a round "tree". This not only helps prevent theft and molestation, it also helps make efficient use of space. This type of multi-layered bike rack could be costlier than the other bike racks mentioned before.

Bike racks also help to keep your garage clean and organized.  One could use overhead space for extra storage by adding rafter racks and by using ceiling hoist bike racks, wall racks or multiple bike floor stands, one could avoid the clutter created from having multiple bikes hogging the floor space.