Best Design of Bike Rooms on University and College Campuses

College life is all about friends, community, and, let’s be honest, finding the fastest way to get from one class to another after waking up ten minutes before class begins! We’ve found that opting for biking to get to class in a pinch is the best way to get around campus, not to mention they’re affordable and eco-friendly!

But here’s the catch: without a well-designed bike room, campus biking can quickly turn into a frustrating experience. At Halt we’re dedicated to creating the best bike repair stations, and, as we’ve learned with our previous clients, we know that the best bike rooms don’t just store bikes—they create a seamless experience for their users! 

So, let’s break down the key elements that make a campus bike room truly exceptional.

Vertical Rack

Location, Location, Location!

Proximity to High-Traffic Areas

For students, convenience is key, so the campus’ bike room (or bike rooms plural!) need to be easily accessible. If students have to trek across campus just to park their bikes, they’ll likely end up locking them to the nearest pole instead. 

We’ve found that the prime locations for bike rooms on campus are near the main buildings, dorms, and common areas, such as the dining hall. If multiple bike rooms aren’t feasible for some schools, having horizontal racks placed around campus outdoors is a great alternative to provide secure, easy spots for students to park their bikes.

Convenience for Quick Repairs

We’ve found that having a bike repair station inside these bike rooms allows for students to quickly fix a flat tire or adjust their brakes just before heading to class, without breaking the bank.

Want to know if your repair is a DIY project? Then check out our blog on DIY vs.  Professional Repairs.

Secure and Spacious Parking

Rack Variety and Organization

In a study performed by Cail Smith and Alexander Bigazzi, it was found that 65% of students store their bikes in spots other than bike rooms, indicating a high demand for more dedicated bike parking infrastructure. 

Choosing the best bike rack is key to ensure the space is being maximized to its potential. We recommend having a variety of racks to accommodate different bikes, and specifically would point campuses to implement our two-tiered stretch racks, vertical racks, and wall-mounted racks. 

These racks ensure secure storage, while also taking advantage of potentially minimal space by building upwards! Students can have an easy, efficient time storing their bike as long as the correct amount of space is left in the aisles; we recommend at least 48”! 

If you would like to learn more about how we’d suggest you design an bike room, visit our blog post on efficient bike room design! Also, find below an example of all three of the recommended racks in action for our client’s, SIDCAN, bike room. 

Safety Measures

We recognize bike rooms can’t be placed everywhere, which is why we strongly suggest campuses to build them in high-traffic areas to provide easy access to students, therefore also encouraging more secure storage, allowing students to feel comfortable that their bike will be safe and sound while they’re in class!

Measures such as controlled access through student IDs, surveillance cameras, and providing strong locks to students can take the security of the bike rooms one step further.

Spacing Considerations

Another pro tip? Leave some extra room! A cramped bike room leads to tangled handlebars, scratched frames, and an overall chaotic experience. As previously mentioned, we recommend aisles to be at least 48” wide, and 16” between bikes for maximum density.

The Power of Bike Repair Stations

On-the-Go Fixes

Let’s be real—college students are busy and broke, and the last thing they need is a broken bike slowing them down and lowering the balance in their bank account. 

That’s where a bike repair stand comes in! By incorporating these into the design, universities can provide students with the tools they need to make quick repairs on the go. 

At Halt, we have two different repair stations to choose from, and find that both our standard bike repair station and deluxe bike repair station would be a great fit for college campuses! From levers to a variety of wrenches, both repair stations keep students rolling and reduce the need for costly off-campus repairs. 

We’d also recommend implementing a wheel chock and air pump into the bike room, to make repairs easier for students on a time crunch to perform!

Weather Protection for All Seasons

Covered and Enclosed Storage

Nobody wants to hop on a soggy bike seat in the middle of winter. A top-notch bike room should offer protection from the elements. Covered storage or fully enclosed bike rooms help keep bikes dry and rust-free, especially in places with harsh winters or frequent rain.

Indoor Racks as a Social Hub

And if a campus has the space, why not double these spaces as social hubs? Bike rooms can become a space where students swap cycling tips and stories, while offering advice with a bike station. 

Community-Centered Design

Creating a Cycling Hub

As just mentioned, we have found through working with our clients that a bike room can also become a social hub. For universities, it can be so much more than a storage space- it can be a hub for campus cycling culture. 

We could expect more students to begin biking, or choose biking as their mode of transportation, as a cycling community grows, encouraging one another. This is also great, because it will contribute to a greener, healthier way of living for both the cyclists and the environment!

Some schools can take this a step further by hosting bike maintenance workshops right in the bike room. Imagine a space where students can gather to learn basic bike repair skills while having access to a high-quality bike repair station. It’s a win-win for both the school and the students!

Sustainability and Green Features

Eco-Friendly Construction

Biking is already an eco-friendly transportation option, but why stop there? We believe that universities can integrate sustainability into bike room design by using solar-powered lights, rainwater collection for bike washing stations, and recycled materials for racks and benches.

And, of course, a repair station plays a key role in sustainability. Instead of students tossing their bikes aside at the first sign of trouble, they can make quick fixes on campus, extending the life of their ride and reducing waste.

Partnerships with Local Bike Shops and Services

On-Campus Tune-Ups

While our repair stations offer a wide set of tools to ensure most repair needs are met, it’s inevitable that some repairs for students’ bikes won’t be possible on their own. So why not take bike rooms to the next level by collaborating with local bike shops? 

Some universities have successfully partnered with businesses to offer on-campus tune-ups, repair discounts, and bike rental programs.

The Future of Campus Bike Rooms

Bike-friendly campuses continue to grow exponentially, and so universities have an incredible opportunity to invest in top-tier bike rooms that cater to their student needs. 

With our experience and expertise with all-things biking, we know that the more universities prioritize biking infrastructure, the more students will be encouraged to ditch their cars and embrace two wheels.

Ready to build a bike room on campus? Whether you’re a university administrator, a campus planner, or a student advocate, let’s work together to create the ultimate bike rooms—complete with secure parking, sustainable infrastructure, and a strategically placed bike repair station. 

The future of college transportation is two-wheeled, and we at Halt are here to make sure it rides smoothly!