My business idea is to develop fire-department approved (bike & stuff) storage containers that are allowed in the unused condo parkade parking spots of non-car tenants. Success requires fire-dpeartment approval, and probably legislation to prevent strata councils from banning them anyway.
That’s a great idea. I’ve seen something similar at my alma mater, but they were too large of a factor to fit in a parking slot. They were like a little box outside that had four locker slots for bikes. I found them quite useful.
Yeah, I'm picturing something about the size of a minivan. It mustn't be too wide or it would block adjacent vehicles from opening doors. There could be limits as to what can be stored. e.g, a limit on flammable liquids (although cars seem to get a pass there.)
Does the condo Corp limit the width of vehicles allowed into the garage? If not, then the width should be line to line. That's what you own and pay maintenence on.
Not sure if you're fa.iliar with the scale of cargo bikes, but they definitely don't fit in conventional bikes lockers (I've tried). We have a few of them in Victoria BC, but they are only sized for conventional bikes.
I agree, but the economics sometimes hinge on the zoning exclusions and I also want to show a level of amenity equivalent (or better) to cars, vs a box in the yard.
Simply adding high quality floor anchors to parking stalls would go a long way, and would be good for motorcycles, scooters, trailers, etc. as well as bikes & trikes. Security would be an issue, of course, but between good locks and active security something should be possible.
I am VERY interested in learning what others have done regarding retrofitting storage for active transportation into existing buildings. Our big restrictions are that parking spots are permanently assigned to units, and that our existing bike storage is at capacity. Feel free to DM me!
While not this elaborate, a recent apartment came to our council to reduce car parking spaces by 50% and we supported their request. In return they put in 92 secure bike stalls with power for charging. They also added e-cargo bike spaces, bike wash and a bike repair workroom & workstation.
The building is currently in the building permit stage and set to start construction next year. It is main floor access to the bike wash and bike secure storage room. Here are the developers provided drawings.
My pleasure, we had another 2 rental apartment projects do similar modifications to reduce parking and add bikes. One of the things I'm most optimistic about as a change in our community mindset to active transportation.
Many modern cycle parks have double-decker racks, where the top tier slides out and angles down, you roll your bike on, attach it, and lift and slide back into place. I wonder if the same scheme would work for cargo bikes on the ground and a row of raised standard cycle racks above?
Id probably design that type of garage to maximize space a little more and utilize vertical space with easy to lower and raise bike lifts instead of separate compartments but love the idea 💡
I wouldn’t illustrate those bikes next to the front door – the fire service will hate that, they’ll imagine them as e-bikes charging and about to burst into flames.
Cool yeah seems like could build buildings with interior fire rated enclosures for e-bike storage which would be super convenient for residents. Also would allow people to invest in nice bikes with less worry about theft or getting them into their apartment
Comments
Beyond that we’d need some code changes.
https://chicagoyimby.com/2024/09/zoning-application-submitted-for-925-w-belmont-avenue-in-lake-view.html
https://bsky.app/profile/lanefab.com/post/3lcyilavnic2p