Striping
Motorcycle and Bicycle Parking Striping: Marking Dedicated Spaces in Your Oregon Lot
Cojo
March 21, 2026
6 min read
Motorcycles and bicycles do not fit standard parking space dimensions. A motorcycle parked in a full-size 9-by-18-foot parking stall wastes approximately 80 percent of that space. A bicycle locked to a sign post or railing creates pedestrian obstruction and potential damage. Dedicated, properly marked motorcycle and bicycle parking areas solve both problems — they provide organized, visible parking for two-wheeled vehicles while recovering pavement that would otherwise be wasted.
Oregon has a strong motorcycle and bicycle culture. Portland consistently ranks as one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the country, and motorcycle registrations across the state are significant. Commercial properties that provide dedicated two-wheel parking demonstrate awareness of their user base and maximize the functional capacity of their lots.
Motorcycle parking spaces are significantly smaller than automobile spaces. Standard motorcycle space dimensions are 4 feet wide by 8 to 10 feet deep. This means a single automobile space can be converted into two motorcycle spaces with room remaining, or a group of 4 to 6 motorcycle spaces can fit in the area of 2 standard automobile stalls.
Some facilities use wider motorcycle spaces (5 feet) to accommodate touring motorcycles and trikes, which are wider than standard sport and commuter bikes.
Motorcycle spaces should be clearly delineated with painted boundary lines in white, a "MOTORCYCLE ONLY" or motorcycle symbol stencil in each space or at the entrance to the motorcycle parking area, and wheel stop markings or physical stops at the front of each space.
The motorcycle symbol stencil — a simplified side-view motorcycle profile — is the most immediately recognizable marking. It should be at least 24 to 36 inches in its largest dimension for visibility from a riding position.
Motorcycle parking should be located on level pavement with good drainage (motorcycles on kickstands are vulnerable to tipping on sloped or soft surfaces), near building entrances for security and convenience, visible from building windows or security cameras, and separated from automobile traffic patterns to reduce the risk of a car backing into the motorcycle area.
End-of-row positions, corner areas, and narrow strips of pavement unsuitable for full automobile spaces are often ideal for motorcycle parking groups.
Motorcycle kickstands concentrate the full weight of the motorcycle on a small contact point. On hot days, asphalt softens and kickstands can sink in, causing motorcycles to tip over. Concrete pads or kickstand pucks at each space prevent this. If the motorcycle area is on asphalt, marking the kickstand position with a contrasting color alerts riders to position their kickstand on the pad.
Short-term bicycle parking consists of bicycle racks — typically inverted-U racks, post-and-ring racks, or wave racks — located near building entrances. These serve visitors, customers, and short-duration parkers.
Long-term bicycle parking consists of enclosed or covered bicycle storage areas — lockers, cages, or secured rooms — for employees and all-day parkers. These are typically required by building codes for new commercial and multi-family construction in Oregon.
Bicycle rack areas should be marked with boundary lines defining the bicycle parking zone, bicycle symbol stencils or "BICYCLE PARKING" text, clearance zones that prevent vehicles from parking within the rack approach area, and separation markings between the rack area and pedestrian paths.
The bicycle rack area should provide a minimum of 6 feet of depth for each side of the rack (to accommodate bicycle length) plus 2 feet for the rack itself, totaling approximately 14 feet of depth for a double-sided rack installation.
Oregon building codes and local municipal requirements increasingly mandate specific bicycle parking provisions. Portland's code requires short-term bicycle parking within 50 feet of the main entrance and long-term bicycle parking for employees. Other Oregon cities have similar requirements. See our striping regulations in Oregon guide for jurisdiction-specific details.
Bicycle parking should be located on a paved surface — not on grass or gravel, well-lit for security, visible from the building entrance, protected from vehicle traffic by curbing or bollards, and accessible without requiring cyclists to ride through vehicle traffic lanes.
Converting one or two end-of-row automobile spaces to motorcycle or bicycle parking is a common approach that can increase total vehicle accommodation. A single 9-by-18-foot automobile space can become 4 motorcycle spaces (4 by 9 feet each) or a bicycle rack installation serving 6 to 10 bicycles.
The key is proper marking that clearly communicates the converted purpose. Remove or cover old automobile stall lines, paint new motorcycle or bicycle space boundaries, apply appropriate stencils, and install signage.
| Component | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Motorcycle space markings (per space) | $15-$35 |
| Motorcycle symbol stencil | $25-$50 |
| Bicycle parking area boundary marking | $50-$150 |
| Bicycle symbol stencil | $25-$50 |
| "MOTORCYCLE ONLY" text | $25-$50 |
Cojo includes motorcycle and bicycle parking markings in striping services for Oregon commercial properties. We help identify optimal locations for two-wheel parking and apply professional stencils and boundary markings.
Contact Cojo for a free lot assessment.
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