6 new bike racks in front of the main entrance

No more searching for space at lamp posts

In mid-May, we noticed a lack of free bicycle spaces in front of the building in the morning. Our existing racks were filling up by 8:40 AM, and latecomers had to find a spot at posts or fences. I calculated it precisely – on three consecutive Tuesdays in June, an average of 34 bicycles stood in front of the building, 7 of which were locked in unintended places. This was a clear signal that we had to act quickly before the season really kicked off and it started bothering pedestrians on the sidewalk at Chorzowska.

We decided to install 6 additional U-type racks. These are solid galvanized steel structures that allow for safe locking of the frame and wheel simultaneously. Each barrier holds two bikes, so we gained 12 new parking spots in total. Installation took our technical team two days because we had to solidly anchor the bolts in the ground so no one could pull the rack out together with the bike. We used professional chemical anchors, which guarantees that the barriers will not loosen even after several years of intensive use by tenants.

The choice of location was not accidental. The new spots are located just 12 meters from the main entrance to Epirusworld. Thanks to this, cyclists are close to the reception, and the walk from the rack to the elevator takes less than 3 minutes. This is important, especially when meeting deadlines in the morning. Additionally, this zone is the best lit after dark, which significantly improves the security of equipment left after 5:00 PM when days become shorter.

I calculated it precisely – on three consecutive Tuesdays in June, an average of 34 bicycles stood in front of the building.

Safety under the eye of camera No. 4

For every bike owner, the most important thing is whether the equipment is still there after leaving work. That's why when planning the installation, we checked the viewing angles of our cameras. The new racks are in the center of the range of camera number 4, which records images in high resolution 24/7. Building security has a view of this area on the main monitor, which allows them to react immediately if an unauthorized person lingers by the locks longer than necessary. This is a big advantage over locking a bike somewhere at the back of the building.

We used racks with a height of 82 cm and a width of 100 cm. These dimensions are most practical for standard city and trekking bikes. The distance between barriers is 115 cm, which allows for free maneuvering even with wide handlebars or a basket. We didn't want to set them too densely, because we know from experience that then people bump each other's frames. Here, everyone has enough space to calmly fasten a U-lock or a thick chain without gymnasticating between other bikes.

An additional advantage is that the racks are visible from the windows of the restaurant on the ground floor. Many people who come down for a quick lunch like to keep an eye on their bike. It's a psychological sense of security that we try to provide at every step in Epirusworld. To be honest, this was one of the cheaper infrastructure investments this year, and the feedback from tenants is incredibly positive. Sometimes simple solutions, like a piece of bent pipe in the right place, make a bigger difference than complicated electronic systems.

Infrastructure is more than just racks

At Epirusworld, we understand that commuting to work by bike in Katowice requires more than just a piece of steel in front of the entrance. Therefore, I remind all new employees that on the ground floor, right next to the fitness center, we have publicly accessible showers and lockable clothes lockers. You can freshen up there after a ride uphill from the direction of Silesian Park. Using these amenities is included in the rent; there is no need to pay extra or book times. You just arrive, park, take a shower, and you are ready to work at your desk.

From my conversations with employees, it appears that more and more people are giving up cars in favor of two wheels. This is great news because although we have 187 parking spaces, it gets tight during peak hours. Every cyclist is one free space for someone who has to come from afar by car. In June, we noted that 23% of our regular office users choose a bike at least once a week. We want to bring this result to 31% before the end of next season, so these 6 new racks are just the beginning of minor improvements.

We also plan to install a small repair station with a pump and basic tools. It often happens that someone loses air or a bolt at the fender loosens. Such a station will probably be installed in September, provided we can agree with the supplier on a specific model that will withstand weather conditions and not rust after the first winter. For now, we are focusing on these new spots serving well. If we see that it's getting tight again, we still have room for another 4 barriers on the west side of the stairs.

Voices from our offices

I asked several regulars of our parking lot what they think of the new change. Marek Wiśniewski, who works at an IT company on the 3rd floor, told me directly: 'Before, I had to be in the office by 7:50 AM to be sure I could lock up to a rack. Now I arrive at 8:15 AM and find a free spot right by the camera without stress'. This is exactly the kind of comfort we were after. Not big words, but ensuring you don't spoil your mood in the morning with silly things like a lack of space for a bike.

Another opinion came from Ms. Anna from an accounting office. She noted that the racks are high enough that she doesn't have to bend to the ground with her heavy lock, which is a great relief given her back pain. These are the small details that you don't see in photos but feel in daily use. I'm glad that the new infrastructure serves both young guys on gravel bikes and older people who commute on city bikes.

In summary, the investment in these 6 racks closed with a very reasonable amount, and the benefit for the Epirusworld community is measurable. A good office is a foundation, and this foundation consists of just such small bricks as parking, fitness, or a safe place for a bike. I invite everyone to test the new barriers. If you have any suggestions on where else amenities are lacking, feel free to write to my address. My office is always open to concrete proposals that make life easier.

A good office is a foundation, and this foundation consists of just such small bricks.