What is the name of the folding stand that supports a bicycle when parked?

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The folding stand that supports a bicycle when parked is called a kickstand.

A kickstand is usually a metal leg that pivots down from the bicycle frame and touches the ground, allowing the bicycle to remain upright without a wall, rack, or person holding it. It commonly mounts near the bottom bracket or toward the rear of the frame, and a spring or detent keeps it stowed or deployed.

There are two main arrangements. A side stand uses one leg and lets the bicycle lean slightly, usually to the left. A center stand uses two legs or a central bracket and can lift the rear wheel off the ground. Center stands are especially useful for maintenance and for keeping a loaded bicycle stable.

The word “kickstand” is more specific than “bike stand,” which can also mean a freestanding workshop or storage stand. The earliest known kickstand design dates to 1869, while shorter and more convenient versions were patented in the early twentieth century.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026

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