Our project is a dormitory village on a university setting in Phoenix, Arizona. We intend to provide the residents and staff with more than the requisite number of bike racks in fully-covered, secure and easily-accessible locations. Our question pertains to the definition of covered. It is typical in the Southwest to provide protection from the elements with vegetation. We intend to plant mesquite trees, which have a canopy of 25\'-35\', and will completely cover the bike rack area to provide shelter. Is this an acceptable approach to meet the requirements of this credit?
Consistent with CIR ruling dated 5/9/2005, this approach will not meet the requirements of SSc4.2. It is not clear how long it will take for the mesquite trees mentioned to provide a large enough canopy to provide cover for the bike racks. Using trees as cover for bike storage does not ensure that bicycles will not be exposed to the elements. Covered storage areas protect bicycles from sun and rain, providing more of an incentive for their use in lieu of automobiles. Applicable Internationally.