Bicycle Network Victoria: Commercial Projects

Operation Anaconda: Bike Parking Rails for the Richmond Recreation Centre

Old style “rabbit ear” racks had been installed several years ago on the footpath outside the Recreation Centre. This style of rack is not suitable for locking modern bikes to, as only the front wheel is supported and it is difficult to secure the bike frame to the rack. They also extended about 30cm out from the wall and were a hazard for footpath users, particularly those that were blind or physically handicapped.

Enquiries to the local council, the City of Yarra, and some web surfing on Bicycle Network Victoria’s website resulted in contact being made between Bicycle Network Victoria and the Recreation Centre. After a site visit and discussions with the Operations Co-ordinators, Mark Collins and Jay Chambers, the versatile and economic Anaconda continuous bike parking rails were chosen.

Anaconda rails get the nod

12 Anaconda rails were installed in the asphalt courtyard between the pool building and the tennis
courts. Holes were dug in the asphalt and concrete footings installed. This enabled the Anaconda
rails to be bolted to the ground, providing greater security. A total of 24 bike parking spaces are now
available for staff and Recreation Centre users.

Users have to wheel their bikes through reception and the pool deck to get to the fenced off bike
parking area, providing extra security for parked bikes. Says Mark Collins, “We get a number of
triathletes doing their training here. Most of them own some pretty decent machines and they
appreciate not having to lock their bikes on the street.” Other users are catching on as well. “It’s the
middle of winter now and during peak use times there are only a couple of bike spaces left.” Says
Mark, “It’ll be interesting to see what happens when summer comes around!”