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GEORGE BROWN COLLEGE BIKE STORAGE Design Charrette: Final Concept Presentation. 939,000 residents of Toronto are cyclists and over 60% of households owned bicycles*. *2001 Decima Survey Results, City of Toronto Bike Plan, Chapter 2.
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GEORGE BROWN COLLEGE BIKE STORAGE Design Charrette: Final Concept Presentation
939,000 residents of Toronto are cyclists and over 60% of households owned bicycles* *2001 Decima Survey Results, City of Toronto Bike Plan, Chapter 2
As part of its ongoing sustainability planning, George Brown College is committed to supporting this trend and encouraging its students and staff to commute by bicycle
Project Overview Through the development of a college-wide bicycle strategy and the exploration of alternate means of transportation, the college will address the issues of bike safety, storage and security and anticipate the changing face of personal urban transportation
Project Objectives This design charrette: Investigated the changing transportation needs of George Brown College students, faculty & staff Designeda flexible bicycle storage solution that could work in different locations Developed a bike storage solution for the St James campus space using this system Createdplans for the maintenance and development of further bike storage solutions
Design Parameters • Set new standards for environmental mandates and corporate social responsibility policies within George Brown College • Identify and address issues around personal bicycle storage including theft, damage and accessibility • Store bikes efficiently • Address personal safety and security issues for cyclists • Act as a social hub for cyclists and community members • Consider varying ability levels of users • Fit well into the local environment • Use modular designs that can be configured to fit into a variety of sites • Address financial planning that may support future maintenance or programming • Take advantage of small, unused pieces of land that occur around campus buildings
Design Considerations • Personal hygiene facilities such as shower/change rooms • Maintenance and customer service • Bike-sharing partnerships • Sense of ownership by users • Enrich a public space and offer complementary features outside of bike storage • Engage the community, possibly offering skills’ workshops and volunteer programming • Phased construction • Bicycle maintenance facilities • Impact on the public realm • Impact on the environment • Innovative sustainable product design • Material exploration (fabric, wood, wire, mesh, glass, resin, steel) • Other modes of personal transportation such as scooters, rollerblades, skateboards, motorboards, motorcycles, mopeds
In-depth background research gave the participants insight into the many issues that impact bike storage on the George Brown Campuses and in the City of Toronto.
Cycling Culture Cycling culture varies widely from place to place, even from suburb to urban neighbourhood. North American cycling culture is largely centred on recreation, unlike Europe and Asia where cycling is a part of their transportation culture.
Bicycles A bicycle is one of the most efficient means of transportation available. Ideally suited to personal travel, bikes represent a rapid means of travelling from place to place for practically no cost and with little impact on the environment.
Personal Urban Transportation While cycling is a great choice for many kinds of travel, it is not the best answer for everyone or for every type of trip. For some people the physical exertion or the need to cover longer distances may mean that a motorized or motor-assisted means of travel may be the best choice. For others, portability may be key and they may want to chose a skateboard or in- line skates that allow them to hop on and off public transit or carry their transportation into their office or classroom.
Bike Storage How bikes are stored is a critical issue. Theft and vandalism are the most commonly cited reason that people choose not to ride their bike even for relatively short distances, and lack of appropriate places to lock up a bike are a major part of that.
Target Users The primary target user of this bike storage solution is faculty and staff living within a 10km radius of their primary campuses. This group is already cycling or has the fewest barriers to cycling. Staff and faculty tend to be older, are more likely to live in urban neighbourhoods or inner suburbs and fit the profile of the average North American cyclist. The secondary target users are students who live within 10-15km of their campus and students who might commute part of the distance by transit or other means – cultivating this user group will probably require marketing and/or programming support.
Process 1 Charrette over 5 Days 6 Expert Advisors, including 1 Urban Planner 1 Contractor 2 Industrial Designers 1 Bike Specialist 1 Sustainability Specialist 16+ MajorConcepts generated 3 Selected for exploration 1 Concept chosen for refinement
Process Participants included: George Brown Administration George Brown Green Team George Brown Faculty, Staff & Students Magna Marque The Toronto Cyclist Union The Canadian Urban Institute The City of Toronto: Transportation Division, Smart Commute CMHC Metrolinx Waterfront Toronto
Proposed Concept: The Bike Line A bold streak of red directs the user to and from the site, visually connecting the buildings of the campus while providing integral infrastructure to support modules and services.
The Bike Line Experience: Spring I leave my classroom and hit the street. Overhead, an audacious streak of red slices a path through the urban landscape.
Spring A cyclist darts between halted vehicles and disappears in an alleyway. His trajectory echoes the crimson line overhead. I enter the park as he is de-biking, resting upon one of the benches that hang from this aerial pathway. His bike, suspended on an adjacent module, floats on an arc of brushed steel.
Spring I didn’t know this area existed. An oasis tucked away, where the traffic seems to disappear. Patches of green dot the landscape. The area feels like a garden of functional art, a school yard full of beautiful toys.
Spring A group of students fire-up an adjacent BBQ. It’s a fundraiser. I did not expect to find this kind of community here.
Spring The pipe itself supports all the boundless activity around me. Bike racks and benches hang from its structure. A smattering of electric bikes are parked, charging in one of the modules. I follow the pipeline, through the yard and it leads to an exercise station. I’ve been sitting all day and feel stiff, so I jump on a bike and start to pedal. I forgot how much fun it is to ride.
Spring I never thought of George Brown as a “safe” place to cycle-- too many cars, busy streets, streetcar tracks - but the number of bikes in this yard amaze me. I really don’t live that far away myself...
The Bike Line Experience: Winter I cannot believe this day. When I got up this morning, it was already freezing, bitterly cold, wind violently blowing. But the snow – the snow is the worst.
Winter I rode my bike today – like I do every day – and I have got to tell you, these bike lockers on campus are a godsend. I don’t think that I could bear to ride here if I didn’t have this place. I can keep all of my stuff together, safe and dry, and not worry about having to drag the gear into the classroom with me.
Winter Riding in the winter is tough. There is so much to contend with – the roads, the snow banks, the weather. But as I stop at a red light and see the crowded streetcar that’s pulled up next to me, I am so relieved that I am not one of those people, crammed in like wet, cold sardines - or worse, left out in the cold because the car is full and waiting for the next full car to come.
Winter I wonder if the snow will still be this bad by the time I leave tonight, but I don’t have to worry about whether or not my stuff will still be there at the end of the day. And on a day like today, it makes all the difference in the world.
The Bike Line Features • Provides a visual and physical infrastructure with an infinite amount of uses • Can potentially be continued throughout the campus to visually tie pieces together • Easily applied in shorter segments on other sites or to expand uses outward from the central spine • Modular elements support a variety of new functions for the space: • Bike Storage & Amenities • Social Spaces • Green Features • Basic Service Amenities • Energy Capture
Bike Storage & Amenities Bike Rack Options A - The curvature of this bike rack will allow increased bicycle storage within a smaller footprint. B - The inverted ring and post design allows several points of contact between the locking station and bicycle.
Bike Storage & Amenities • Bike Lockers • Bike lockers can be rented on either a monthly basis from Student Services or the Student Association office. These provide an extra level of security from theft and the elements
Bike Storage & Amenities Ramp A standard channel will be laid up the center portion of the existing stair unit in order to facilitate ease of access from the north west corner of the site.
Bike Storage & Amenities Air Pump & Water Dispenser Water and Air modules provide added incentive to utilize the on site bike park.
Bike Storage & Amenities • E-bike parking & Charging • E-bike Charging Stations will provide power for pedal assist bikes. • On site lighting and E-bike charging stations will be powered primarily by solar and wind turbine modules as well as energy captured from the exercise stations.
Social Spaces Benches Ample seating encourages people to socialize and hang out in the area, improving security and creating an outdoor student lounge Benches are made of FSC cedar, providing durability
Green Features • Planters • Plant species local to Ontario suspended, on the ground, and integrated into the seating provide green space. Due to its durability and its FSC cedar will be utilized for seating elements.
Basic Services • Basic amenities • Waste disposal, recycling, and energy efficient lighting will be provided, supporting all activities in the space
Energy Capture • Energy Features • Solar and wind modules and Generative Fitness Equipment will capture energy and power the lighting and bike charging facilities
College & Municipal Impact • Positions George Brown College as a leader in facilitating sustainable transportation methods • Enhances the College’s existing Green and Corporate Social Responsibility strategies • Visually connects College campuses • Creates a cultural landmark and destination • Links the College to Toronto resources, such as transit, restaurants and bike paths • Encourages cycling for students, staff & faculty • Increases security of personal property
Analysis • Strengths • Modular, reconfigurable and flexible • Allows seasonal variations and evolution over time. • Bold design statement • Provides a physical conduit for amenities • Physically connects separate buildings • One or two sided • Easily implemented in a variety of settings • Provides way-finding • Opportunities • Could bring cohesion to the campus buildings • Generates a sense of community at the college • Creates areas for social interaction • Gatherings create opportunities for marketing • Provides badly needed, high-quality outdoor space on the campus • Iconic structure that provides branding for the college • Potential to carry a narrative or timeline • Weaknesses • Could look dated in time if not initially well designed • Materials & custom work might be costly • Maintenance issues due to materials • Storage of seasonal components • Complex issues regarding mechanical services • Threats • Mechanical difficulties • Long-term commitment to one supplier • Creating modules that are both secure and mobile • Wear and tear • Vandals
Programming Options Graphic panels will provide narrative structure while contextualizing GBC involvement in sustainability. This might be an opportunity to tell the story of George Brown College’s History.
Programming Options Way-finding signage will direct users and will aid in connecting the campus to the city.
