Originally, a bike rack referred to a device that could securely attach a bicycle so that it could not be stolen. These public bike racks were generally attached to the ground or a building in order to prevent anyone taking them away from the area.
Out of the types of bike racks used in public places, the “wheel benders” is a better known type since this type of bike rack allows the storage of many bikes in an area at the same time. However, since in this type of bike rack only one wheel of the bike is secured to the metal rack, it isn’t the most effective means of ensuring that the bike is safe from thieves. The secured bike wheel could be detached from the rest of the bike to be taken. Another negative aspect of this type of bike rack is that it does not offer much support to the bike. Since many bikes are stored in this bike rack at the same time, chances are that one bike could tip over and cause the rest of the bikes to topple.
A more modern type of bike rack that is available is the "Sheffield rack", which consists of a thick metal bar of a squared-arch shape. The Sheffield bike rack is better able to support a bike and its frame owing to the height of the rack bar top, which is in the same height as the bike frame.
Wall-mountable versions of bike racks are available for household storing and organization purposes. One could even find bike racks that can be hoisted up with the bike to a wall or a garage ceiling, so as to save space.
Also available are bike racks for purposes of travel such as car bike racks. One could find different styles of car bike racks that could attach the bike to the roof or the back of a car. Such auto bike racks could be used as an easy space-saving way to transport one’s bike from place to place.
The Bike Rack defined:
The “Bike Rack” refers to a stationary fixture designed specifically for bicycle parking and to which a bicycle can be securely attached to prevent theft. The placement of the bike rack is intended to facilitate the use of bicycles. A bike rack can consist of anything from a single rack element (something to which you secure your bike) to a set-aside parking area with multiple racks.
- Bike racks can come in an array of different elements depending on its structure and proximity.
- A Bike Rack Area would refer to bike parking with multiple bike racks separated by aisles.
Also known as a bicycle carrier, this device is attached to buses/cars etc. for the transportation of bicycles; anchored to the ground or to a solid structure such as for the purpose of securing the bicycles. Bus mounted bike racks are generally seen in the front of a bus. They could be flipped up against the bus, when not carrying bikes. Bike racks found in cars can be attached either to the roof, rear trunk or the rear tow hitch.
The bicycles to be stored in the bike rack, could be mounted onto the racks by clamping both wheels and providing some additional vertical support. The device connecting the ‘stem’ to the ‘seat post’ could be used to provide additional support. Bike racks that clamp on the front of dropouts generally provide built-in locking systems.
Some bike racks have also been specifically designed for pickup trucks. These types of bike racks could be attached either to the rear bed or the sides of the trucks. Bike racks are now being manufactured for motorcycles as well.
More about Bike Racks
A bike rack is a means of securing your bike by attaching the bicycle to the bike rack with a lock in order to prevent theft. Bike racks that were originally used some years back may not be the most secure since only one wheel may be locked to the bike rack. With the increase in the number of bicycle thefts in the recent past, these types of bike racks may not be the most appropriate. Nonetheless, these types of bike racks can still be found in schools as well as many other public places.
The Sheffield bike rack is a more modern version of the bike rack. This bike rack was invented in Sheffield, England (thus its name). These bike racks are composed of a thick metal bar that is shaped like a square arch, with the top portion being level with the top bar of the bike frame so that it can support the bike and the frame can remain secure.
A bike rack can also be attached to a vehicle so that it can be safely transported from one location to another.
Bike racks that have become increasingly popular in recent years are those types of bike racks which are built in the form of lockers. These bike lockers are advantageous for commuters who may leave their bikes at a transit station while commuting to and from work.