Topeka Metro Bikes

Want to be a part of this map? Join up!

Topeka Metro Bikes brought 100 bicycles to the city this spring. Since our bikes have a built-in lock (the yellow part), they can be locked at any bike rack in town. But bikeshare in Topeka is missing one thing: good bike parking! We will be installing 200 new racks as part of the bikeshare system, but those will only be in 10 places.

The first photo shows a bikeshare bike locked up at the Downtown YMCA, 421 SW Van Buren. Each bike rack should have at least two feet of clearance on all sides, so this installation is actually too close to the building, but is otherwise perfect. Similar racks can be ordered locally from the Topeka Community Cycle Project. We recommend surface-mount, A-frame racks like these. Topeka Metro can install one of these racks at your location for $300, or two racks for $500. Two racks, like the photo, would provide parking capacity for four bikes.

The second image shows the locations of a few of our main stations, plus some of the compatible bike racks we have identified in the city. Despite a bikeways network that spans the city, there are still lots of gaps in good bicycle parking.

Bicycling in Topeka is getting better every year, especially since we passed and started implementing the Bikeways Masterplan. The City is adding all sorts of bike-friendly features to the roads, including designated routes, 'sharrows,' and bike lanes. And more and more cyclists are taking advantage!

What's more — studies show that people who arrive at grocery stores, convenience stores, bars, and restaurants by bicycle tend to spend more overall than the people who arrive by car! Another study goes even further, showing that bicycle parking spaces are more effective at generating revenue than car parking spaces.

There are a number of great guidelines for implementing bicycle parking at your business, and it can be done a number of ways. Some corporations opt to have custom bike racks built by local machine shops, and in that path, the possibilities are endless! Some cities make bike racks looks like art, or include the city crest or a special logo.

The bikeshare network in Topeka already has more than 1,300 members, including Washburn students, young professionals, and active families. If you'd like to reach any of these groups via sponsorship of our program, or if you have questions about bike parking, feel free to get in touch with us, and we'd be glad to help! [email protected].

OUR BIKE WORKS! THERE IT IS ON THE MAP!