Calgary, AB, Bicycle Parking Requirements
In Calgary, Alberta, bicycle parking regulations are governed by the Land Use Bylaw 1P2007, which sets specific standards for long-term (Class 1) and short-term (Class 2) bicycle parking. These regulations aim to support sustainable transportation by ensuring that adequate and secure bike parking facilities are available across various types of developments.
Class 1 (Long-Term) Bicycle Parking Requirements
- Purpose: Class 1 parking is intended for long-term use, such as for residents or employees who require secure and protected storage over an extended period.
- Location: Class 1 parking spaces must be located in enclosed, secure areas like lockers, bike rooms, or cages. Bicycle parking stalls – class 1 must be located on hard surfaced areas.
- Quantity: The number of required Class 1 spaces varies by building type and size. In general, it is required for residential, office, and commercial developments where bicycles will be stored for extended periods.
Class 2 (Short-Term) Bicycle Parking Requirements
- Purpose: Class 2 parking is meant for short-term use by visitors and customers.
- Location: Class 2 spaces must be located close to the main entrances of buildings, providing easy access and visibility. Bicycle parking stalls – class 2 may only be located in hard surfaced areas and in hard surfaced landscaped areas.
- Quantity: The number of required Class 2 spaces is often based on the building’s gross floor area or the number of units in residential developments.
Design Standards for Class 1 Bicycle Parking
- Security: Must be in a secure, locked facility, such as a designated bike room or individual lockers.
- Space and Dimensions: Each space must provide enough clearance for standard bicycles, typically with a minimum size of 1.8 meters in length. The facility must have proper lighting and clearance for ease of access.
Design Standards for Class 2 Bicycle Parking
- Visibility: Class 2 parking must be placed in areas visible to the public, near building entrances, and in well-lit zones.
- Rack Design: The racks should enable cyclists to lock the frame and at least one wheel to a secure structure, with U-shaped racks being common.
- Spacing: A minimum clearance between racks and surrounding objects must be maintained to avoid congestion and ensure easy maneuvering.
- A bicycle parking stall that is not an individual locker must be at least 2.0 metres in height
- A bicycle parking stall that is not an individual locker and is attached to the ground must be located at least 0.6 metres from any physical barrier
Bicycle Parking Requirements by Type of Facility
| Building Classification | Required Class 1 Bike Parking Spaces | Required Class 2 Bike Parking Spaces |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial – Neighbourhood 1 Commercial – Neighbourhood 2 | The minimum number of bicycle parking stalls – class 1 for each Dwelling Unit and Live Work Unit is: (a) no requirement where the number of units is less than 20; and (b) 0.5 stalls per unit where the total number of units equals or exceeds 20. Bicycle parking stalls – class 1 provided for Dwelling Units and Live Work Units are for the exclusive use of residents. | The minimum number of bicycle parking stalls – class 2 for each Dwelling Unit and Live Work Unit is: (a) 2.0 stalls for developments of 20 units or less; and (b) 0.1 stalls per unit for developments of more than 20 units. |
| Commercial – Community 1 Commercial – Community 2 | The minimum number of bicycle parking stalls – class 1 for (a) each Dwelling Unit and Live Work Unit is: (i) no requirement where the number of units is less than 20; and (ii) 0.5 stalls per unit where the total number of units equals or exceeds 20. (b) an “Enclosed Mall” is 2.0 per cent of the number of motor vehicle parking stalls; “Enclosed Mall” means a building containing two or more retail stores that are accessible by an enclosed common corridor. | The minimum number of bicycle parking stalls – class 2 for: (a) each Dwelling Unit and Live Work Unit is: (i) 2.0 stalls for developments of 20 units or less; and (ii) 0.1 stalls per unit for developments of more than 20 units. (b) all other uses is 5.0 per cent of the number of motor vehicle parking stalls. |
| Commercial – Corridor 1 Commercial – Corridor 2 | The minimum number of bicycle parking stalls – class 1 for (a) each Dwelling Unit and Live Work Unit is: (i) no requirement where the number of units is less than 20; and (ii) 0.5 stalls per unit where the total number of units equals or exceeds 20. Bicycle parking stalls – class 1 provided for Dwelling Units and Live Work Units are for the exclusive use of residents. | The minimum number of bicycle parking stalls – class 2 for: (a) each Dwelling Unit and Live Work Unit is: (i) 2.0 stalls for developments of 20 units or less; and (ii) 0.1 stalls per unit for developments of more than 20 units. (b) all other uses is 5.0 per cent of the number of motor vehicle parking stalls. |
| Commercial Corridor 3 | The minimum number of bicycle parking stalls – class 1 for an “Enclosed Mall” is 2.0 per cent of the number of motor vehicle parking stalls. “Enclosed Mall” means a building containing two or more retail stores that are accessible by an enclosed common corridor. | The minimum number of bicycle parking stalls – class 2 for an “Enclosed Mall” is 3.0 per cent of the number of motor vehicle parking stalls. “Enclosed Mall” means a building containing two or more retail stores that are accessible by an enclosed common corridor. |
| Commercial – Office District | The uses listed in section 830 must provide 1.0 bicycle parking stall – class 1 per 1000.0 square metres gross usable floor area of the use. For all other uses, the minimum number of, bicycle parking stalls is not specified. In this case, the Development Authority determines the minimum number of stalls for that development in consideration of the minimum number of stalls for other developments with similar characteristics and other relevant information. | The uses listed in section 830 must provide 1.0 bicycle parking stall – class 2 per 1000.0 square metres of gross usable floor area of the use. For all other uses, the minimum number of bicycle parking stalls is not specified. In this case, the Development Authority determines the minimum number of stalls for that development in consideration of the minimum number of stalls for other developments with similar characteristics and other relevant information. |
| Commercial – Regional 1 District | The minimum number of bicycle parking stalls is not specified. In this case, the Development Authority determines the minimum number of stalls for that development in consideration of the minimum number of stalls for other developments with similar characteristics and other relevant information. | The minimum bicycle parking stalls – class 2 is 5.0 per cent of the number of motor vehicle parking stalls. |
| Commercial – Regional 2 District | (a) Each Dwelling Unit and Live Work Unit: (i) no requirement when the number of units is less than 0; and (ii) 0.5 stalls per unit when the total number of units equals or exceeds 20; and (b) all other uses is 2.0 per cent of the number of motor vehicle parking stalls. | (a) each Dwelling Unit and Live Work Unit is: (i) 2.0 stalls for development of 20 units or less; and (ii) 0.1 stalls per unit for developments of more than 20 units; and (b) all other uses is 3.0 per cent of the number of motor vehicle parking stalls. |
| Commercial – Regional 3 District | The minimum number of bicycle parking stalls – class 1 for an “Enclosed Mall” is 2.0 per cent of the number of motor vehicle parking stalls. | The minimum number of bicycle parking stalls – class 2 for an “Enclosed Mall” is 3.0 per cent of the number of motor vehicle parking stalls. |
| Industrial – Heavy | No Requirement | The minimum number of bicycle parking stall – class 2 is 1.0 stalls per 2000.0 square metres of gross usable floor area. |
| Division 1 Centre City Multi-Residential High Rise Division 4 Centre City Commercial Land | The minimum number of bicycle parking stalls – class 1 for each Dwelling Unit and Live Work Unit is: (a) no requirement where the number of units is less than 20; and (b) 0.5 stalls per unit where the total number of units equals or exceeds 20. Bicycle parking stalls – class 1 provided for Dwelling Units and Live Work Units are for the exclusive use of residents. For all other uses, the minimum number of bicycle parking stalls is not specified. In this case, the Development Authority determines the minimum number of stalls for that development in consideration of the minimum number of stalls for other developments with similar characteristics and other relevant information. | The minimum number of bicycle parking stalls – class 2 for: (a) each Dwelling Unit and Live Work Unit is: (i) 2.0 stalls for developments of 20 units or less; and (ii) 0.1 stalls per unit for developments of more than 20 units. (b) all other uses is 5.0 per cent of the number of motor vehicle parking stalls |
| Division 12: Centre City East Village Districts | The minimum number of bicycle parking stalls – class 1 for each Dwelling Unit and Live Work Unit is: (a) no requirement where the number of units is less than 20; and (b) 0.5 stalls per unit where the total number of units equals or exceeds 20. For all other uses, the minimum number of bicycle parking stalls is not specified. In this case, the Development Authority determines the minimum number of stalls for that development in consideration of the minimum number of stalls for other developments with similar characteristics and other relevant information. | No Requirement |
| Division 2: Commercial Residential District | For an Office, the minimum number of required: (a) bicycle parking stalls – class 1 is 2.0 per 1000.0 square metres of gross usable floor area; and (b) bicycle parking stalls – class 2 is 2.0 per 1000.0 square metres of gross usable floor area. Where bicycle parking stalls – class 1 are required for an Office in a proposed building, the following amenities must be provided: (a) lockers at a ratio of 1.0 per 4.0 bicycle parking stalls – class 1; and (b) where a minimum of 25.0 bicycle parking stalls – class 1 are required: (i) private change rooms at a minimum of 0.4 square metres per required bicycle parking stalls – class 1 or 20.0 square metres, whichever is greater; (ii) showers at a minimum of 0.4 square metres per required bicycle parking stalls – class 1 or 20.0 square metres, whichever is greater; and (iii) an unobstructed area for bicycle maintenance which must: (A) be a minimum of 6.0 square metres; and (B) have no minimum dimensions less than 2.0 metres. For a Dwelling Unit or Live Work Unit, the minimum number of bicycle parking stalls – class 1 is 1.0 per unit for developments with greater than 20.0 units. Bicycle parking stalls – class 1 must be located at grade or within the first level directly below grade. For all other uses, the minimum number of visitor parking stalls, bicycle parking stalls or loading stalls is not specified. In this case, the Development Authority determines the minimum number of stalls for that development in consideration of the minimum number of stalls for other developments with similar characteristics and other relevant information. | For all uses, the minimum number of bicycle parking stalls – class 2 is not specified. In this case, the Development Authority determines the minimum number of stalls for that development in consideration of the minimum number of stalls for other developments with similar characteristics and other relevant information. |
| Division 1 Mixed Use Land District | The minimum number of bicycle parking stalls – class 1 for each Dwelling Unit and Live Work Unit is: (a) no requirement where the number of units is less than 20; and (b) 0.5 stalls per unit where the total number of units equals or exceeds 20. For all other uses, the minimum number of bicycle parking stalls is not specified. In this case, the Development Authority determines the minimum number of stalls for that development in consideration of the minimum number of stalls for other developments with similar characteristics and other relevant information. | The minimum number of bicycle parking stalls – class 2 for: (a) each Dwelling Unit and Live Work Unit is: (i) 2.0 stalls for developments of 20 units or less; and (ii) 0.1 stalls per unit for developments of more than 20 units. (b) all other uses is 5.0 per cent of the number of motor vehicle parking stalls |
The above information represents a partial list of the building classifications and their bike parking requirements for Calgary, AB. Please refer to the link below for more detailed information.
Showers, Water Closets, Wash Basins, and Lockers
Office: Where bicycle parking stalls – class 1 are required for an Office in a proposed building, the following amenities must be provided:
- lockers at a ratio of 1.0 per 4.0 bicycle parking stalls – class 1; and
- where a minimum of 25.0 bicycle parking stalls – class 1 are required:
- private change rooms at a minimum of 0.4 square metres per required bicycle parking stalls – class 1 or 20.0 square metres, whichever is greater;
- showers at a minimum of 0.4 square metres per required bicycle parking stalls – class 1 or 20.0 square metres, whichever is greater; and
- an unobstructed area for bicycle maintenance which must:
- be a minimum of 6.0 square metres; and
- have no minimum dimensions less than 2.0 metres.
Official Regulations
The full details of Calgary’s bicycle parking regulations can be found in The City of Calgary Land Use Bylaw 1P2007.
