Mountain View Municipal Code Div. 6 Bicycle Parking Standards

Bicycle parking facilities shall be provided in compliance with this Section and the Bicycle Parking Guidelines provided by the community development department.

a. Classification of bicycle parking facilities.

1. Class I facilities. Intended for long-term parking (e.g., for employees); protects against theft of entire bicycle and of its components and accessories. The facility shall also protect the bicycles from inclement weather, including wind-driven rain. Design alternatives for Class I facilities are as follows:

(a) Bicycle locker. A fully enclosed, weather-resistant space accessible only by the owner or operator of the bicycle. Bicycle lockers may be premanufactured or designed for individual sites. All bicycle lockers shall be fitted with key locking mechanisms. This is the preferred Class I facility;

(b) Restricted access. Class I bicycle parking facilities located within an interior locked room or locked enclosure accessible by key only to the owners or operators of the bicycles parked within. The maximum capacity of each restricted room or enclosure shall be ten (10) bicycles;

(c) Enclosed cages. An exterior enclosure for individual bicycles, where contents are visible from the sides but the top is covered and which can be securely locked by a user-provided lock. This type of facility is only to be used for retail and service uses and multiple-family development; or

(d) Other. Class I facilities other than lockers, restricted access rooms or enclosed cages, but providing the same level of security, may be approved by the zoning administrator. A written building management policy of permitting bicycles to be stored in private offices or multi-family dwellings (including apartments, townhomes and condominiums), or in designated areas within the structure where adequate security is provided, may be approved by the zoning administrator as an alternative to Class I facilities.

2. Class II and Class III facilities. Intended for short-term parking (e.g., for shoppers, visitors). A stationary object to which the user can lock the frame and both wheels. Should be protected from weather whenever possible. The zoning administrator may require either a Class II or Class III facility depending on where the facilities are to be located.

(a) Class II. Class II facilities are designed so that the lock is protected from physical assault and, therefore, the facility need not be within constant visual range. A Class II rack shall accept padlocks and high-security, U-shaped locks.

(b) Class III. Class III facilities are less secure and, therefore, shall be within constant visual range of persons within the adjacent structure or located in well-traveled pedestrian areas.

b. Bicycle parking design standards.

1. Clearance. Class I(b), Class II and Class III facilities shall provide at least a twenty-four (24) inch clearance from the centerline of each adjacent bicycle, and at least eighteen (18) inches from walls or other obstructions;

2. Aisle. An aisle or other space shall be provided for bicycles to enter and leave the facility. This aisle shall have a width of at least five (5) feet to the front or the rear of a standard six (6) foot bicycle parked in the facility;

3. Building entrance—Class I. Class I facilities at employment sites shall be located near the structure entrances used by employees;

4. Building entrance—Class II and III. Class II or Class III facilities intended for customers or visitors shall be located near the main structure used by the public;

5. Paving. Paving of bicycle parking areas is required;

6. Convenience. Convenient access to bicycle parking facilities shall be provided. Where access is via a sidewalk or pathway, curb ramps shall be installed where appropriate;

7. Lighting. Lighting shall be provided in all bicycle parking areas. In both exterior and interior locations, lighting of not less than one (1) footcandle of illumination at ground level shall be provided; and

8. Review. The zoning administrator shall have the authority to review the design of all bicycle parking facilities required by this Section with respect to safety, security and convenience. The zoning administrator shall consider the bicycle parking guidelines in determining the type, location and design of bicycle parking facilities.

c. Number and type of bicycle spaces required. The following standards shall apply:

1. Number of bicycle parking spaces. The number of bicycle parking spaces required is determined by Section 36.32.50 (Required Parking Spaces); and

2. Class of bicycle parking spaces. The zoning administrator may require that a certain percentage of the spaces be Class I, Class II or Class III depending on the potential users. The zoning administrator shall use the Bicycle Parking Guidelines in determining the appropriate proportions of each class.

d. Showers and changing room standards. Two (2) employee shower and changing room facilities, one (1) each for male and female employees, shall be provided for any new structure constructed or for any addition to or enlargement of any existing structure requiring over two hundred (200) employee parking spaces. This requirement is applicable to industrial, research and development, corporate office and similar high-employment businesses. The floor area used for shower and changing rooms shall not be included in the calculations for floor area ratio limits.

(Ord. No. 18.13, § 1, 12/10/13; Ord. No. 01.2024, § 27, 1/23/24.)