Two-tier bicycle parking racks are a pretty common sight at most secure cycle parking facilities. They're a great way of increasing capacity, meaning more of us can park in the same facility.
That being said, they can look a bit intimidating if you've not used one before! Unsure how to use them? This great video from Wellington City Council is the best explainer we've found online.
Unable to load the video? We've added our tips below:
Pull the handle back towards you (it can be a bit stiff sometimes. This racks are very robust so feel free to give it a good yank - you won't break the rack).
Push it down
Load your bike onto the rack (sometimes this requires a little lift, but as long as your bike isn't too heavy - we don't recommend those with eBikes park on the top tier for instance - you'll be fine).
Lock your bike.
Lift up the handle (this part is magic. The racks are hydraulic and will do the heavy lifting for you).
Push the rack back into its original position. Your bike will slide right back into position.
When you're ready to collect your bike, simply repeat the process again. Use the handle to pull back the rack towards you, and gently lower the rack (be careful as sometimes the bike can move slightly during this action).
Once you've removed your bike, remember to lift the rack back up into position - it keeps the facility looking a bit smarter!
And there you have it. Two-tier bike racks can look a bit intimidating, but once you know how to park in your bike in one it's a breeze.
Still not a fan? Remember, you choose your exact rack type before arriving so if you really don't want a two-tier rack, you can book a lower-tier or even a horizontal rack too.