LT Credit: Bicycle Facilities
Bicycles need two things: a place to goโand a place to stay.
ย What is the Intent of this Credit?
The goal is to:
๐ promote bicycling and transportation efficiency
๐ reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT)
๐ improve public health through physical activity
๐ฏ Big Picture
This credit is about:
๐ Access to bike routes + Proper bike storage + User support (showers)
๐งฉ Two Main Components
- Bicycle Network (Access Requirement)
Requirement
๐ The project must have:
- a functional entry OR bicycle storage location
within:
๐ 200 yards (180 m)
of a bicycle network
โ What is a Bicycle Network?
Includes:
- bike lanes
- bike paths
- trails
- low-speed roads
๐ What must the network connect to?
At least ONE of the following:
โ Option A: Diverse Uses
- At least 10 diverse uses
- within 3 miles (4800 m) biking distance
โ Option B: School or Employment Center
๐ Applies if:
- project is โฅ50% residential
โ Option C: Transit
- BRT
- rail stations
- commuter rail
- ferry
๐ฏ Critical Numbers (MUST MEMORIZE)
- 200 yards โ connection distance
- 3 miles โ biking reach
- 10 diverse uses
โ ๏ธ Planned Bike Network (Exam Trap)
๐ Can count ONLY if:
- fully funded
completed within 1 year of certificate of occupancy
๐ฒ 2. Bicycle Storage & Shower Facilities
Three Cases
๐ข Case 1: Commercial / Institutional Projects
๐ฆ Short-Term Storage (Visitors)
- 2.5% of peak visitors
- minimum 4 spaces
๐ Long-Term Storage (Occupants)
- 5% of regular occupants
- minimum 4 spaces
๐ฟ Showers
- 1 shower for first 100 occupants
- +1 shower for every 150 additional occupants
๐ Case 2: Residential Projects
๐ฆ Short-Term Storage
- 2.5% of peak visitors
- minimum 4 spaces
๐ Long-Term Storage
- 30% of occupants
- OR โฅ1 per dwelling unit
๐๏ธ Case 3: Mixed-Use Projects
๐ Must meet:
- Case 1 (non-residential portion)
- Case 2 (residential portion)
๐ Location Requirements (ALL PROJECTS)
๐ฒ Short-Term Storage
๐ within:
- 100 feet (30 m)
of main entrance
๐ฒ Long-Term Storage
๐ within:
- 100 feet (30 m)
of functional entry
โ ๏ธ Important Rules (Exam Traps)
โ No Double Counting
๐ Bicycle storage:
- cannot be shared with non-project users
- must be dedicated to project occupants
โ Short-term โ Long-term
- short-term โ visitors
- long-term โ regular occupants
๐ Cannot substitute one for the other
๐ง Where People Get Confused
โ Misconception 1:
โAny bike path nearby qualifiesโ
๐ No
๐ Must connect to:
- 10 uses OR
- transit OR
- school/employment
โ Misconception 2:
โDistance is from site boundaryโ
๐ No
๐ Must be from:
- functional entry OR storage location
โ Misconception 3:
โStorage is enoughโ
๐ No
๐ Must also meet:
- network requirement
โ Misconception 4:
โPlanned bike lanes always countโ
๐ Only if:
- fully funded
- completed within 1 year
Official FAQs
What are the two main components of the Bicycle Facilities credit?
2. Bicycle storage and shower facilities
What are the key distances in this credit?
โข 3 miles โ to destinations
โข 100 feet โ storage location
A project has bike storage but no nearby bicycle network. Does it qualify?
๐ Both requirements must be met:
โข network access
โข storage facilities
A project has access to 8 diverse uses within 3 miles. Does it meet the requirement?
๐ Minimum is 10 diverse uses. Projects are required to Design or locate the project such that a functional entry or bicycle storage is within a 200-yard (180-meter) walking
distance or bicycling distance from a bicycle network that connects to at least one of the following:
ยทยท at least 10 diverse uses;
ยทยท a school or employment center, if the project total floor area is 50% or more residential; or
ยทยท a bus rapid transit stop, light or heavy rail station, commuter rail station, or ferry terminal.
A project has a planned bike lane nearby, but construction will begin 2 years after occupancy. Does it qualify?
๐ Must be:
โข fully funded
โข completed within 1 year
Why does LEED require both network access and storage?
โข network โ enables bicycling
โข storage + showers โ supports user behavior
๐ Both are needed to change transportation habits
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