Cambridge, MA Bicycle Parking Requirements
The City of Cambridge, Massachusetts, has developed a set of detailed and structured bike parking regulations and design standards to ensure the availability of convenient and secure bicycle parking facilities across various developments. These regulations support the city’s broader goals of promoting cycling as a sustainable mode of transportation and reducing car dependency.
Long-Term and Short-Term Bike Parking Requirements
Long-Term Bicycle Parking
- Long-term parking is intended for employees, residents, and others who need secure and weather-protected storage for several hours or overnight.
- Long-Term Bicycle Parking shall be provided within the building containing the use or uses that it is intended to serve, or within a structure whose pedestrian entrance is no more than two hundred feet (200′) from a pedestrian entrance to such building.
- It must be located within an enclosed and secure area, such as a bike room, locker, or covered bicycle cage.
- Long-term parking is typically required for residential developments and places of employment where users will store their bicycles for extended periods.
- For larger buildings, at least 5% of long-term bicycle spaces must accommodate larger bicycles, such as tandem bicycles or bikes with trailers.
- Long-Term Bicycle Parking or Short-Term Bicycle Parking requirements may be satisfied by the installation of Bicycle Lockers which meet the design and layout standards.
- A Bicycle Locker shall mean an enclosed, lockable structure which a single user may open and close for the purpose of storing one or more bicycles.
- A Bicycle Locker shall be secured by means of a lockable door or an object inside the Bicycle Locker to which the bicycle frame and one or both wheels may be secured by way of a cable, chain, U-lock or shackle.
Short-Term Bicycle Parking
- Short-term parking serves visitors, customers, and other individuals parking for a few hours.
- It must be located within 50 feet of a building entrance and be publicly accessible.
- This type of parking should be visible, well-lit, and easy to access without obstructing pedestrian pathways or vehicle spaces.
- Short-term bicycle racks should be located under weather protection, such as awnings or natural canopies, where possible.
Design Standards for Long-Term Bicycle Parking
- Long-term parking must provide secure, weather-protected facilities.
- Bicycle lockers or enclosed rooms are recommended, with spaces that allow for bicycles to be locked securely at two points, including the frame.
- Long-term spaces should have a clear horizontal distance of at least 3 feet between racks and should avoid the need for users to lift their bicycles.
Design Standards for Short-Term Bicycle Parking
- Short-term racks must allow for the secure locking of the bicycle frame and at least one wheel using a U-lock.
- Racks should be anchored to a solid foundation, such as concrete, to prevent theft.
- Clearances around the racks should be adequate to allow easy access to the parking space without obstruction.
- Short-term racks must support the bicycle in an upright position and prevent tipping.
Required Bicycle Parking Spaces by Land Use
| Land Use Type | Short-Term Bicycle Parking | Long-Term Bicycle Parking |
|---|---|---|
| Townhouse or multifamily dwellings | 0.10 space per unit | 1.00 space per unit for the first 20 units, 1.05 for each additional unit |
| Elderly-oriented housing | 0.05 space per unit | 0.50 space per unit |
| Hotels, motels | 0.05 space per sleeping room | 0.02 space per sleeping room |
| General or professional offices | 0.06 space per 1,000 sq. ft. | 0.30 space per 1,000 sq. ft. |
| Restaurants, bars | 1.00 space per 1,000 sq. ft. | 0.20 space per 1,000 sq. ft. |
| Retail stores | 0.60 space per 1,000 sq. ft. | 0.10 space per 1,000 sq. ft. |
| Primary and secondary schools | 1.70 space per classroom | 0.30 space per classroom |
| Colleges or universities | 0.40 space per 1,000 sq. ft. | 0.20 space per 1,000 sq. ft. |
The above information represents a partial list of the facility types and their bike parking requirements for Cambridge, MA. Please refer to the links below for more detailed information.
Showers and Personal Locker Requirements
While Cambridge does not have a direct requirement for the provision of showers and personal lockers for cyclists, such amenities are encouraged in workplaces to promote cycling as a viable commuting option. Buildings that offer showers and lockers may also gain flexibility in meeting other requirements.
Neighborhood or Regional Variations
The city’s bicycle parking requirements apply citywide, and there are no specific neighborhood-based variations. However, developers have the option of making public contributions to a bicycle parking fund if they are unable to meet parking requirements due to site constraints.
Where to Find Official Regulations
The official bike parking regulations and design standards for Cambridge can be found in the following documents:
Cambridge Bicycle Parking Zoning Ordinance (Article 6.100)
