Washington, DC Bike Parking Regulations and Standards

The District of Columbia actively encourages cycling as a sustainable form of transportation. In order to support this, the city requires adequate bicycle parking infrastructure in new developments, renovations, and certain existing buildings. This includes both long-term and short-term parking facilities that meet specific design standards, ensuring convenience and security for cyclists.

Long-term and Short-term Bike Parking Requirements

Long-term bicycle parking is intended for people who will store their bikes for extended periods, such as residents and employees. It must be located within the building it serves or in a secure area such as a bike storage room. Where long-term parking is provided in a bicycle room, the room shall have solid walls or floor-to-ceiling fencing. The room shall have locked doors. The entire room must be visible from the entry door. A motion-activated security light in a tamper-proof case must be provided in each bicycle room.

Short-term bicycle parking is intended for visitors and customers and should be located near building entrances, typically within 120 feet of a primary entrance. It is often outdoors and consists of bike racks in visible, accessible areas.

Design Standards for Long-term Bicycle Parking

Long-term bicycle parking must be secure, weather-protected, and located no lower than the first cellar or parking level and no higher than the first above-grade level. Racks for long-term parking must be either in garages or bicycle storage rooms, and 50% of the required long-term spaces should allow bikes to be placed horizontally on the floor.

Key specifications for long-term bicycle parking:

• Must be in a secure area, such as a bicycle room or parking garage.
• Solid walls or floor-to-ceiling fencing required if in a room, with locked doors.
• Secure anchoring of racks or lockers is necessary, and lockers should meet specific size requirements.
• A minimum of fifty percent (50%) of the required long-term bicycle parking spaces shall allow the bicycles to be placed horizontally on the floor or ground. Vertical bicycle racks shall support the bicycle without the bicycle being suspended.
• Where required long-term bicycle parking is provided in lockers, the lockers shall be securely anchored and meet the following minimum dimensions:
  • Twenty-four inches (24 in.) in width at the door end;
  • Eight inches (8 in.) in width at the opposite end;
  • Seventy-two inches (72 in.) in length; and
  • Forty-eight inches (48 in.) in height.

Design Standards for Short-term Bicycle Parking

Short-term bicycle parking should be in a publicly accessible location within 120 feet of building entrances. The racks must be easy to access, well-lit, and designed to prevent obstruction of pedestrian traffic.

Key specifications for short-term bicycle parking:

• Must allow the frame and one wheel of the bicycle to be locked to the rack.
• Must be spaced at least 30 inches apart, with a minimum of 48 inches for aisles.
• Should be protected from weather if possible

Table of Required Bicycle Parking Spaces by Facility Type

The above information represents a partial list of the facility types and their bike parking requirements in Washington, DC. Please refer to the links below for more detailed information.

Showers and Personal Lockers

Washington, DC requires showers and personal lockers in non-residential buildings that provide long-term bicycle parking. Buildings with over 25,000 sq. ft. of gross floor area must provide at least two showers and additional showers as the size of the building increases. Lockers must also be provided at a ratio of 0.6 lockers for each long-term bicycle parking space.

Regional or Neighborhood-Specific Requirements

Bicycle parking requirements are largely uniform across Washington, DC. However, some variations may apply depending on zoning overlays or special districts aimed at encouraging cycling and other forms of alternative transportation.

Sources for Official Regulations

The official bike parking regulations for Washington, DC can be found in the DDOT Bike Parking Guide.