Products
Long-Term Bike Parking
How long-term bicycle parking and bike rooms work
Long-term bicycle parking is any storage where a bike sits for a full workday or longer. Industry references call this Class 1 parking, distinct from Class 2 short-term, public-facing racks at storefronts or transit stops. Long-term parking is typically enclosed and secure, controlled access (card key, fob, PIN code, or assigned key), out of the weather, and higher density via vertical wall-mount or two-tier racks.
The three formats that satisfy long-term requirements are bike rooms, bike lockers, and high-security shelters. Bike rooms are the most common solution for multifamily and campus projects.
What goes into a fitted bike room layout
Five inputs decide a fitted bike room layout:
- Total bike count target. Code-required count, marketing-driven count, or actual user-demand projection.
- Room footprint. Length, width, ceiling height, column locations, door swings. Verticals typically need 7 feet of ceiling. Two-tier typically needs 8 feet 6 inches.
- Access plan. Single door, vestibule, or drive-in roll-up. 4-foot main aisle minimum; 6 feet preferred.
- Rack mix. Vertical wall-mount for the perimeter. Two-tier or vertical for the interior. Standard floor racks for ADA-accessible spaces and oversized bikes (cargo bikes, e-bikes with extended frames, bikes with trailers).
- Support amenities. Bike repair station, pump, charging outlets for e-bikes (a separate planning item), signage, security camera coverage.
Most California cities set a baseline of one long-term bike space per dwelling unit for multifamily projects; counts and rules vary by jurisdiction, so confirm with your local code.
How bike rooms compare with lockers and shelters
| Format | Security | Weather protection | Density (bikes per 100 sq ft) | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bike room (vertical + two-tier mix) | High (room-level access control) | Full | 20-30+ | Multifamily, large campus, office tower |
| Bike lockers (individual) | Highest (per-bike access) | Full | 8-12 | Transit, dedicated commuter, fleet vehicles |
| Bike shelters (covered, open or screened) | Medium | Partial (rain only) | 10-15 | Short and medium-term outdoor parking, K-12 entries |
| Outdoor rack only | Low | None | 10-12 | Short-term public parking, retail, civic |
Numbers are planning baselines; exact density depends on room shape, ceiling height, and rack mix. Most large multifamily and campus projects use a bike room as the main long-term solution, often with a small bank of lockers for residents or staff who want individual control.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Class 1 and Class 2 bike parking?
Class 1 is long-term, enclosed, weather-protected, and access-controlled, typically inside a building or in a locker. Class 2 is short-term, outdoor, and open access, typically standard hoop or wave racks at a building entry. Many jurisdictions require both with separate count minimums. Confirm with your local code.
How many bikes fit in a bike room?
It depends on room shape, ceiling height, and rack mix. As a planning baseline, a 200-square-foot bike room with 8-foot ceilings using vertical wall racks holds in the range of 24 to 32 bikes. The same room with two-tier racks and 8 feet 6 inches of ceiling can hold 40 to 50. Layout matters more than the rack itself; we size every quote against your actual room.
Are e-bikes a problem in bike rooms?
E-bikes are heavier than standard bikes (40 to 70 pounds versus 20 to 30) and frequently have wider frames or saddles. The Offset VR1 XL is rated for e-bikes. Specify e-bike-rated racks if e-bike use is expected. Charging outlets are a separate planning item.
Get a fitted bike room layout for your project. Send the room dimensions, target bike count, and a floor plan. We return a layout drawing, rack mix recommendation, and quote within 3 to 5 business days. Request a Quote or Get Free Layout Assistance to start.
Long-Term Bike Storage
Micromobility Hubs, Bike Rooms and Bike Lockers satisfy Class 1, or long-term, parking requirements. Create high-security spaces by outfitting a hub or room with our innovative products. Contact us with the number of parking spaces your project needs!
Long-Term Bike Storage Solutions
Micromobility Hub®
Bike Rooms & Layouts
High-Security Bike Lockers
CLASS 1
LONG-TERM PARKING
Class 1 bicycle parking is considered long-term parking and requires shelter from most, if not all, elements. Long-term parking caters to residents, public transit users, employees or similar riders.
CLASS 2 (NOT LONG-TERM)
SHORT-TERM PARKING
Short-term parking, or Class 2 bicycle parking, is intended for a couple of hours. Class 2 parking caters to riders visiting businesses, institutions, event centers, or other short-term trips. Find more here.
CLASS 1 SOLUTIONS
WHAT CAN YOU STORE?
The all-encompassing solution to storing any micromobility device, Micromobility Hub can store bicycles, scooters, longboards and skateboards. Different variations of Micromobility Hub offer built in racks for bicycles, and other custom features allow for storing (and charging) of scooters.
WHICH RACKS TO USE?
Micromobility Hub can have built-in racks such as Offset Vertical Racks and Double Dockers or can house surface-mount racks of any variation. Varsities, Guardians, MBAs, and even inverted-U’s can be installed in a silo. For extra security, bike lockers and scooter cubes can also be installed inside Micromobility Hub.
TURNKEY DESIGN?
Micromobility Hub can include an electrical-box, interior and exterior lighting, security cameras, and a key-card reader. Its design accommodates solar panels, a battery bank to store power, and charging shelves with outlets for e-bikes and scooters. All of these features can easily be added to the structure and the system of adapter plates and discrete lock-on points is designed with that in mind.
Micromobility Hub & Bike Room Products
NEED HELP DETERMINING WHAT YOUR PROJECT NEEDS? REACH OUT TO ONE OF OUR EXPERTS!
With 25 years of experience and leading the industry in innovation, Ground Control Systems has an in-house team of engineers and experts ready to offer their guidance and expertise on your upcoming project.
Donn Van Dusen, Senior Design Engineer & Micromobility Hub Expert
As Ground Control System’s lead engineer, Mr. Van Dusen managed the year-long project of designing a high-security, electronically monitored, class 1 structure to store bikes on college campuses, workplaces, and in housing developments called the Micromobility Hub. Van Dusen is our in-house expert for the modular system. He can answer any of your technical questions, concerns or provide all information on Ground Control System’s newest product, the Micromobility Hub.