A bicycle parking rack, usually shortened to bike rack and also called a bicycle stand, is a device to which bicycles can be securely attached for parking purposes. It may be freestanding, or securely attached to the ground or a stationary object, such as a building. Indoor racks are commonly used for private bicycle parking, while outdoor racks are often used in commercial areas. General styles of racks include the Inverted U, Serpentine, Bollard, Grid, and Decorative. The most effective and secure bike racks are those that can secure both wheels and the frame of the bicycle, using a bicycle lock.
White cycles for free use in Hoge Veluwe National Park, the Netherlands
Simple grooved bicycle rack (2006)
Sheffield racks
Ladder type in Germany
Bicycle parking is part of the cycling infrastructure of a populated place allowing for the storage of bicycles when they are not being used. Parking facilities for bicycles include racks, lockers, parking stations, and covered areas. Bicycle parking infrastructure, in addition to cyclists' equipment such bicycle locks, offers a degree of security and may prevent bicycle theft. Ad hoc bicycle parking alongside railings, signs, and other street furniture is a common practice and may be recognized through formal legal arrangements.
A bicycle parking station in Massachusetts
Hap-hazard bike parking gone wild. Without organized parking facilities, bike parking can easily become a problem in densely populated areas.
The space needed to park a single automobile can accommodate nearly a dozen bicycles.
Multi-storey parking facility