Take a Stand© Scheme
Terms, conditions and guidance for installation.
Please read before proceeding with your order
‘Take a Stand©’ is a scheme run by Life Cycle in various local authority regions. It provides free cycle parking to organisations such as small businesses, community groups or charities who otherwise wouldn’t be able to benefit. In some areas it will be allocated purely for the enhancement of that region’s businesses. It usually cannot be offered to state funded organisations such as schools, fire stations, etc. The number of local authorities participating in the scheme varies.
Eligibility for the scheme
- The “Sheffield” stands must be installed within the boundaries of a participating local authority.
- You should either be the owner of the land on which stands are installed or have the permission of the owners to proceed.
- Stands cannot be installed on the public highway or pavements.
- We cannot supply free stands where cycle parking is a stipulation of a Local Authority planning application or planning obligation.
- If you are in a listed building or in a conservation area, whilst planning permission is not always needed for cycle parking stands due to Permitted Development rights, you should make enquiries with your Local Authority to see if any additional permissions are required. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that they comply with local planning regulations.
How the scheme works
We assess all applications with you as quickly as possible in order to approve them. If approved, we will arrange delivery by courier for you to store safely before installation.
Stands are supplied free of charge to you, though you would be responsible for any future management or maintenance once installed.
In some Local Authority areas, we are also funded to organise the installation of the stands. If this is NOT the case in your area do not worry, installation is not difficult and can easily be carried out by a building caretaker or local builder. Guidelines are provided in this document.
Location of stands
When siting bicycle parking it is crucial that you choose the location wisely.
- Allow enough space: If bicycles are crowded next to each other or if the stands are too close to a wall, the parking will be awkward to access and as a result is unlikely to be used.
- Measurements: Make sure the stands are far enough away from walls and each other to allow a bicycle to be locked on both sides. Plus there must be enough room for the wheel to stick out of the end without hitting an obstruction. See measurement guidelines below.
- Visibility & Access: Cyclists should easily spot cycle parking when they arrive from the street. It should be convenient to building entrances and street access, but away from normal pedestrian and motor traffic (see below). This encourages use but discourages theft and vandalism. Avoid locations in un-supervised areas and go for locations within view of passers-by, retail activity, or premises windows. Avoid locations that require bicycles to travel over stairs.
- Lighting: Bicycle parking areas should be well lit for ease of access, theft protection, personal security, and accident prevention.
- Avoid conflict with pedestrians: Locate the stands so that parked bicycles don't block the pedestrian path, causing a hazard for other cyclists or pedestrians.
- Avoid conflict with vehicles: Separate bicycle parking and vehicle parking/roads using areas with space and/or a physical barrier if at all possible. This prevents motor vehicles from damaging parked bicycles and keeps some thieves at a distance. Most professional bike thieves use vans or similar vehicles to hide their activities.
- Weather protection: If possible, protect bicycle parking area from weather using an existing overhang or covered walkway. Alternatively, you can construct a canopy or roof- either freestanding or attached to an existing building if this is an option for you.
Which stands should you use?
There are two basic types of stand. Both are straightforward to install and can be done by a competent person such as a building caretaker or local builder.
Specifications
Material: Galvanised Steel
Height: 800mm
Width: 750mm
Tube Diameter: 48mm x 3mm
Types
Sink-in
These stands are suitable for all surfaces including tarmac, block/brick paving, slabs, grass, or other, similar surfaces. Two holes are dug, and the posts of the stand are concreted into position.
Bolt-down
These stands are only suitable for smooth, solid, flat concrete surfaces ‘hardstanding’. They cannot be bolted securely onto any other surface. The stands are fastened down using 12mm expansion bolts(supplied).
Measurement guidelines
Work out the best configuration for your premises’ available space.
Installation guidelines
Please follow these instructions to install your bike stands correctly. If you have any questions or need technical advice, please contact us. ‘Sink in’ stands require a hole of no more than 300mm depth to avoid services on private land (as per HSE guidelines)The stands are then secured using a ‘post-crete’ type of material.
If you have the bolt-down type of cycle stand they need to be secured into your level and stable concrete hardstanding with 12mm expansion bolts. (supplied with the stands).
Installation deadline
If we are not organising the installation, we require the applicant to install stands within 3 months of delivery, but the sooner the better so they start working for your community.
If you have not installed them in that time, we will work with you on the deadline. It is far better that you contact us if you are having or anticipate difficulties installing stands.
You will be given the option to
- Buy them at a price of £100 per stand so no longer held to the scheme’s deadline.
- Return them to us.
- Agree with us an alternative date for installation.
Monitoring & Data Protection
Applicants are required to email a photograph of the installed stands to us as soon as installed as evidence of installation. We may wish to use such images as part of future marketing.
Life Cycle will share the organisation's contact details with the Local Authority / funder that provides the free stands, who may get in touch to offer other free sustainable travel services.
We also reserve the right to contact you to find out how the stands are being used and if they have led to an increase in cycling to and from your site. A survey to gather data is issued approximately 3 months after installation via email.