Once a request is received:
1. It is logged and grouped with other requests for site inspection by batch. (See CityRacks Process, below.)
2. City staff inspects the proposed locations, evaluating each site based on Oakland’s Sidewalk Bike Rack Guidelines to ensure adequate clearance for pedestrian right-of-way, provide sufficient distance from fire hydrants, curb ramps, and other features.
3. If the installation is feasible, City staff notifies the adjacent business of the proposed installation, allowing two weeks for comment.
4. Approved sites are grouped into work orders (typically including 10 or more locations).
CityRacks Process
The waiting period for a requested bicycle parking rack varies depending on availability of funding, construction contracting capacity, and the complexity of the installation. The City has a goal of installing bicycle parking racks requested through the CityRacks Program once every six months or after 25 sites have been approved, whichever comes first.
About the CityRacks Bicycle Parking Program
Since 1999, the City of Oakland has installed over 3,000 bicycle parking racks in the public right-of-way. These racks—accommodating over 6,700 bicycles—can be found in commercial districts, in parks, and at libraries and other public facilities. CityRacks are not installed in residential areas.
The CityRacks Program installs two rack styles: the inverted-U and circle (pictured). These racks are fabricated from recycled, galvanized steel, and with square tubing for maximum security; square-tubed steel is less vulnerable—though not impervious—to hand-held power tools. By limiting the number of rack types offered, the City can respond to requests most cost-effectively, and can replace damaged racks without a time-consuming procurement process. (Other rack types may be installed as part of streetscape and development projects.) There is no fee for bicycle parking rack or installation for CityRacks, and anyone can request a free rack to be placed on City-owned property.
Since 2020, the CityRacks Program has been primarily funded through the Transportation Development Act (Article 3, Pedestrian/Bicycle Projects), administered by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). From 2010 through 2020, most funding for the CityRacks Program was sourced from grants from the Transportation Fund for Clean Air, a program of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District administered by the Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC). Rack maintenance is funded by Oakland’s share of Measure BB, the half-cent, countywide transportation sales tax, 5-8% of which is dedicated to bicycle and pedestrian projects.
