Bike racks in commercial areas are used mostly by shoppers for brief durations of time, or by business employees for longer durations. As the type and placement of bike racks differs, so does its appropriateness for the two groups. Security is very important to both types of users; but convenience is a priority to short-term shoppers, while shelter from the elements is a priority to long-term (employee) users. Furthermore, short-term parkers usually only need to secure the frame of their bike to a stationary object; where as long-term parkers need to lock-up the frame and both wheels to something with a more secure structure. General guidelines for customer bike parking in commercial areas are as follows:

Bike Racks should accept both U-Locks and Cables passed through the frame of the bike. The U-lock is the most secure solution but allows for a very short distance between the frame and the rack. Old-style parking racks that hold the bike at the front tire are undesirable because the bike frame cannot be placed close enough to the rack to use the U-lock; unless the bike is parked sideways, taking up the entire rack.

The wrong rack can damage a customer’s bike. Bike racks should not hold the bike by the wheel because application of force to the bike can bend the wheel; and also because cyclists prefer to lock the frame of the bike to the rack. Most bikes that are worth stealing feature quick-release hubs on the wheels. If the cyclist locks just the front wheel to the rack they may return to find only the wheel remaining. Cyclists who frequently park long-term will lock the frame to the bike rack but pass a cable through the wheels or use locking hubs to keep the wheels from being stolen.

Bike Racks for customers should be in public view with high visibility and good lighting. Avoid placing racks where a thief or vandal could work without fear of being immediately noticed. Experienced cyclists will not park their bikes out of public view.

Racks should also be close to building entrances to make bicycling more convenient. The farther away the bike rack is from streets and exits the safer it is. The closer a bike rack is placed to automobile parking, exits, street, etc.; the easier it is for a bike thief to get away with it.

Racks should be covered by building roof overhangs, where possible, in order to protect bikes from extreme weather.

Bikes should not block pedestrian ways, or road ways, by jutting out into the sidewalk or street. Racks should be designed to allow the parked bike to be oriented parallel to minimize obstruction. This also makes a potential bike thief more visible, and easier to stop.