If you would like to encourage your customers or employees to ride their bicycles for daily travel trips, you may want to ensure that  you provide secure parking for their bikes.  This requires placing the right type of parking area in the right location.  

Parking Areas
A commonly used bike rack is the inverted "U" rack.  This type of rack allows the frame of the bike and at least one wheel to be secured to the upright posts of the "U."  

Although still widely used, the old style of bike rack where only the front wheel is locked to low uprights are no longer recommended.  These racks can damage expensive rims if a bike is knocked over and do not protect the whole bike if locked wheels have quick release levers.

For long-term parking (all day or longer) bike lockers are a good choice.  Lockers can usually accommodate two bikes with access at each end of the locker.  The advantage of lockers over racks is protection from the elements and more security from theft. 

Another possibility for long-term bike parking is covering an area in an open parking lot with racks beneath.  Enclosing the covered parking with a fence adds an added element of security.  Enclosing a space inside a parking structure for bicycles, using two or three stalls for auto parking and adding racks can also provide secure parking for bikes. 

Parking Location
Wherever bicycle parking is located, it should be in an area that has high visibility to passing pedestrian traffic and/or the windows of nearby buildings.  The more conspicuous the bike parking is, the less comfortable a bicycle thief will feel in attempting a theft.