How to Build Bicycle Parking Racks

As a cycling enthusiast, it is obvious that you want a safe and secure way to park your bicycles. Many public buildings already have bicycle parking racks, but if you are interested in buying one for your home or place of business, it may be cost-prohibitive to do so. In these cases, you can quickly and easily build a bike rack for little initial investment by using wood as an alternative rack material.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

Measuring tape 2-inch-by-4-inch lumber Saw 1-inch-wide metal strapping Pliers Drill Wood screws Permanent marker
Measuring tape
2-inch-by-4-inch lumber
Saw
1-inch-wide metal strapping
Pliers
Drill
Wood screws
Permanent marker

Step 1

Measure the width that you want the rack to be (6 feet is a good size) and then cut the 2-inch-by-4-inch lumber to that length. Divide the board into three 2-foot-wide segments.

Step 2

Measure the inside width of your fork (where the axle attaches) and then add 24 inches to this. Cut as many pieces of metal strapping as bikes you are going to park.

Step 3

Use the pliers to bend the ends of the straps at 90-degree angles and use the wood screws to mount the pieces of metal in the center of each of the sections you marked on the board. This will leave you with two metal straps attached vertically to each bike section.

Step 4

Secure your front wheel in the between two of the metal straps. Let the rear wheels of the bikes act as a balance for the rear portion of the bike.

Tips & Warnings

The design of this rack makes it a stable way to park multiple bikes, but you can also secure it by drilling holes for lag bolts in the bottom portion and mounting it to a sidewalk.

Resources

Nashbar.com

Article Written By Nathaniel Miller

Nathaniel Miller is a technical writer for an environmental division of Microbac Laboratories, Inc. He has a Master of Science from Ohio University. With over eight years of technical writing experience, Miller has a diverse skill-set and enjoys a wide-ranging client base. He is widely published on numerous writing websites and runs a small writing business out of his home in Marietta, Ohio.

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