Bike Racks & Parking

The City of Seattle has approximately 3,500 public bike parking facilities including bike racks, on street-corrals, sidewalk corrals, and bike and scooter zones. Use our Bike Rack map to find a bike parking spot near you! 

What's Happening Now? 

Bike and Scooter Zones

Approximately 200 new bike and scooter parking zones will be installed downtown between October 2025 and May 2026. These new zones will accommodate and organize 2,000 bike and scooter share devices as well as increase personal bike and scooter parking as some locations will also add bike racks. The new parking zones will provide organized parking for shared bikes and scooters, helping to ensure that pedestrian pathways are left clear thereby increasing accessibility for pedestrians. Zones will also help riders consistently find shared scooters and bikes to ride, making it easier for them to make their trips. 

Questions or comments? Please contact BikeShare@seattle.gov. Learn more about bike and scooter share! 

Want to request a bike rack or corral? 

We are tracking requests for new bike parking, but installations are limited. Please review the information below and then send your request to the  walkandbike@seattle.gov email address.  

Sidewalk bike racks

The Bicycle Spot Improvement Program installs bicycle racks in neighborhood business districts to encourage bicycling for short trips and errands. The racks provide safe and convenient bicycle parking. 

Rack installation

Racks are installed at the request of citizens and business or property owners or managers. Bicycle Program staff are available to meet with representatives from interested businesses to explain the program, answer questions and select locations for racks. Racks remains the property of SDOT. SDOT assumes responsibility for the racks but not for bicycles parked at them. 

Rack location criteria

Several criteria are used in siting the racks:

• Racks are installed in public space within City of Seattle limits, usually on a sidewalk with six or more feet of clear sidewalk space remaining.
• Racks are placed at convenient, usable locations in close proximity to building entrances without impeding pedestrians.
• Racks are placed with adequate clearance from curb ramps and crosswalks, street furniture, driveways, sidewalk cafes, and parked cars.
• Racks can be installed in bus stops or loading zones only if they do not interfere with boarding or loading patterns and there are no alternative locations.

See the Seattle Bike Parking Guidelines for more information on siting.

Installation on private property

Racks on private property are usually paid for by the property owner. City racks are not available for purchase, but Bicycle Program staff can help property owners choose appropriate racks and installation locations. Email walkandbike@seattle.gov for more information. 

Developers of most new buildings are required by the Seattle Municipal Code to build both short-term and long-term bike parking. SDOT and SDCI have published a Joint Director’s Rule and the Seattle Bike Parking Guidelines, which further detail requirements for bicycle parking on private property.

Types of racks

The Bicycle Program has selected the following bike rack that we prefer to install: 

The Inverted-U rack 

The Inverted-U rack is made of galvanized pipe, 20 inches long and 35 inches high, and holds two bikes. The rack is unobtrusive, has curved edges, and requires little maintenance.  

Other types of racks

Other types of racks have been installed in the past, including various sizes of rail-type racks and bicycle-circle racks (which converts former meter posts into bike racks). 

On-Street Bike Parking

On-street bike racks are a great way to fit more bikes in a small space while keeping sidewalks clear for pedestrians. They can also make streets safer by improving visibility for drivers at intersections or driveways. 

These bike racks are often placed near intersections where parking isn't allowed, making use of the space. Switching a car parking spot to bike parking works well in areas with lots of demand for bike parking, such as restaurants with outdoor dining or in neighborhoods with narrow sidewalks filled with trees and benches.

SDOT will consider installing on-street bike parking at the request of a nearby business owner. 

SDOT has installed on-street bike parking which consist of groups of three inverted U racks. Selection of the specific type of corral is based on space available as well as demand for bicycle parking. 

Materials

• Seattle Bicycle Parking Guidelines (October 2020)
• School Bike Parking Inventory Analysis (January 2018)