LIMA, OH – As both traditional bicycles and electric bikes become increasingly common on Lima’s streets — including for commuting, errands, and work — one thing remains glaringly absent: safe, secure, and weather-protected bike parking.
On both the east and west sides of town, major shopping centers and job hubs continue to offer little to no accommodations for cyclists — a growing concern for local residents.
A recent visual survey of busy commercial areas across Lima found that Walmart is the only business on the east side currently providing a designated bike rack. Every other visited location — including fast food restaurants, plazas, and other retail outlets — lacked even a basic bike post, leaving riders to chain their bikes to signposts, fences, and railings.
“There’s nowhere to park your bike over there,” said one resident, describing his visit to a west side Walmart. “I had to look around for something to lock it to. There’s nothing. And if it rains, you’re out of luck.”
Photos captured over several days show a consistent trend: bikes left unsecured or fastened to unsuitable objects outside busy businesses — an improvisation that highlights a deeper problem.
Infrastructure failing to keep pace with transportation trends
While all cyclists face the challenge of securing their bikes without proper racks, those riding electric bikes face an additional risk: weather exposure can lead to battery or motor damage that’s costly to repair.
Electric bikes are not just a convenience — they’re becoming a primary form of transportation for residents without cars. But unlike traditional bicycles, e-bikes contain sensitive battery and motor components that are not fully waterproof. Most can tolerate light rain, but extended exposure — especially while parked for hours — can lead to serious electrical damage.
For people commuting to work, especially those relying on these vehicles for daily transportation, the lack of secure and covered parking presents a major risk. And for those searching for employment, it can be a deciding factor.
“People are trying to work,” one rider said. “But they can’t be risking a thousand-dollar bike just to go in for a shift.”
Citywide blind spot
The problem spans both sides of Lima. A sweep of restaurants and retail locations throughout the city found no covered bike parking anywhere except at a single Walmart. Despite seeing multiple riders daily on scooters and bikes, the infrastructure has not kept pace.
In many cases, riders have no choice but to leave their bikes in open weather, risking theft or water damage. Worse, some simply avoid biking to certain areas altogether — especially if they’re heading into job interviews or long shifts where protection from the elements matters.
A small change with big impact
Covered bike parking — or even the installation of basic racks — could have a measurable effect on job accessibility, transportation equity, and safety. The cost of a bike rack is minimal compared to the impact it has for those relying on two wheels instead of four.
With local transportation habits evolving and more residents depending on e-bikes and scooters, businesses and city officials may soon need to consider whether current infrastructure truly meets the needs of the public.
A bicycle chained to a pedestrian crossing sign outside a Lima Walmart — no bike rack in sight.
Another rider resorts to locking their bike to a parking lot light pole. Riders are left to improvise due to the absence of designated racks.
A bicycle wedged between benches and a support column. This location lacks any proper bike locking fixture or protection from rain.
A Vision for What Could Be
A cyclist’s view from the roadside on Lima’s east side, showing open land near high-traffic businesses — but no bike racks or weather protection.
A conceptual rendering created by a local cyclist showing how this space could be transformed into a secure, covered bike shelter accommodating dozens of riders.
West Side Walmart: Room for Transit, Not Bikes
A covered bus stop sits on the west side of Lima’s Walmart property — but there’s no bike rack in sight. Riders frequently lock bikes to poles nearby, despite having plenty of open space for a rack beside the shelter
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