Erecting a few bicycle racks outside your business premises may seem like a small gesture at best, but many business owners who do so are surprised by how much more business they get from cyclists and commuters with the simple addition of a secure place to leave their bike. As such, bike stand installation should be seriously considered by any urban or street-based business, and street furniture manufacturers offer a range of simple and secure bike stands.

However, not every bicycle stand is created equal, and there are many variations to choose from when it comes to picking out your new stands. These different types of stand have their own advantages and disadvantages, so it's important to make sure the bike stands you buy are well suited to your needs. Here are some of the most popular bike stand variants, along with their properties, pros and cons:

Bollard stands

The simplest form of bike stand, a bollard stand consists of just that -- a bollard. However, most bollard stands are equipped with one or two 'arms'. often arranged in a circular shape, that allow bicyclists to easily affix the frames, handlebars or wheels of their bikes to the bollard.

These stands are extremely inexpensive by virtue of their simplicity, and provide adequate bicycle security for the business that only gets a few bicycle-bound customers a day. They are also very easy to install, and double as an effective protective measure against vehicle collisions when placed around the perimeter of your business. However, bollard stands provide only minimal stability and security for the bikes that use them, and can generally only accommodate one bicycle at a time.

U-racks

These are often referred to as bike rests or staple stands, and consist of a simple, U-shaped metal bar which is cemented into the ground at both ends to form a closed half-loop. Though very simple in form and function, U-racks are ideal for many businesses as they are very inexpensive and easy to install. They are particularly useful for urban businesses, as they possess a small footprint and can be installed along the sides of your business premises without getting in the way of pedestrians. When secured to a U-rack in two or more places, a bicycle becomes extremely steady and secure.

However, U-racks may be small but they are not the most space-efficient of bicycle stands. Generally speaking, only one or two bikes can be secured to a U-rack at any one time, so you may wish to opt for a more high-capacity stand model if you have a large number of bike-riding customers. A variety of U-rack called the wave rack also exists, and essential consists of several U-racks joined together to form a continuous wave -- these racks are more suitable for securing multiple bikes, but do not provide the same degree of steadiness as a U-rack.

Hoop stands

This very popular style of bike stand consists of two closely-space parallel bars, between which a cyclist parks the front or rear wheel of their bicycle before securing it in place with a suitable lock. Small and simple, large numbers of hoop stands can be fitted into a very small area, making them perfect for servicing large numbers of cyclists. They can be mounted on walls or at ground level depending on the space you have available.

Unfortunately, hoop stands are only a viable option if they are located well away from any public footpaths, as their low profile can form a dangerous (and potentially expensive) trip hazard if allowed to intrude on public footpaths. This may make them unsuitable for urban businesses with limited outdoor floor space.