tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post1552968609411286811..comments2024-03-27T05:14:23.738-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: Why Cyclists Ignore Bike RacksVelouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-33125615310014372972012-02-08T09:51:04.896-05:002012-02-08T09:51:04.896-05:00Another issue I haven't seen in these comments...Another issue I haven't seen in these comments: covered bike parking. If it is snowy or rainy I'll always park in a covered area if it's available, whether there is a bike rack or not. The main building of the community college here has a 15-foot overhang. The bike rack is just outside that overhang. Guess where I park?Larry Clarkberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05107314238029246774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-72749613215750782352011-11-30T08:28:48.995-05:002011-11-30T08:28:48.995-05:00I love the Peak Racks. They are all over our town....I love the Peak Racks. They are all over our town. The city buys them, as well as the university. I've seen them everywhere on the Santa Barbara campus, too. They really are well designed and easy to use. The website shows that they even offer angled racks now. Brilliant! Why didn't somebody think of that sooner?GreenGalnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-5901852794217853702011-11-28T11:39:50.237-05:002011-11-28T11:39:50.237-05:00http://www.apbp.org/resource/resmgr/publications/b...http://www.apbp.org/resource/resmgr/publications/bicycle_parking_guidelines.pdf<br /><br />The first edition of APBP's bike parking guidelines is free! Also, there is a handy little page with a diagram showing how much space is required for access, clearance, etc. We provided this diagram to the facilities department and they began to install bike racks properly (engineers and planners love diagrams and schematics) -- they just didn't know how to do it before (because they don't bike). Also, because the LAB Bike Friendly awards ask specifically if bike parking is follows APBP guidelines, businesses/universities/communities have a good reason to follow these guidelines. So, if you see a poorly installed bike rack, share the diagram with the public works / facilities dept / business owner /etcAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-38323434393011371002011-11-27T08:19:55.467-05:002011-11-27T08:19:55.467-05:00This cycle parking, which I read about just the ot...This cycle parking, which I read about just the other day, has to be the worst of the "pretty but unusable" category:<br /><br />http://realcycling.blogspot.com/2011/11/scottish-parliaments-cycle-parking.htmljrghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07573166413654366036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-56821016451732974352011-11-23T12:20:06.199-05:002011-11-23T12:20:06.199-05:00Having not made it all the way to the bottom of th...Having not made it all the way to the bottom of the comments... forgive my repetitiveness. I am surprise that "inconvenient location, far from the entrance of where I want to go" didn't make the top of the list. If I see a sign pole 10 feet from the door, and the bike racks are half a block away, I use the pole.Jannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02031488790025572531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-81519073901142084162011-11-23T11:52:26.425-05:002011-11-23T11:52:26.425-05:00You have racks?!!! You don't know how lucky yo...You have racks?!!! You don't know how lucky you are to even have the option! At my local grocery, the only place to lock my bike is a mailbox. At the Whole Foods, who you think would try harder, there's nothing but the shopping cart corral to lock to. The train station just installed 3 of the "comb" racks with the skinny little front-wheel-only slots. Since nobody can actually use the 30 slots, the result is parking for 6 bikes - one on each end of the 3 racks. People fight over those spots...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-50008915848920942672011-11-22T15:37:25.411-05:002011-11-22T15:37:25.411-05:00The comment about high schools having so few bikes...The comment about high schools having so few bikes outside...when my step daughter was living here last year she refused to ride her bike! The school actually had 2 sets of the well designed bike racks, and one was under cover. She would rather get up super early, barely have time to eat and get ready to catch the school bus which would get her at school too early. It's a 15 minute bike ride into town and to us it was the best thing ever-we were trusting her, giving her freedom to come and go when she needed rather than being stuck on the bus. A few kids bike, but not many which is such a shame. But the kids and teens are shuttled everywhere, and they don't seem to be bothered by being seen as coddled.<br />Ah bike racks, who designs them, and who decides where to put them? In a rural area, bike racks are rare so we tend to go for pillars, posts, trees etc.. and find places under cover. Most racks are so ill designed that the bike is likely to slide over and fall unless placed just so...and add some more bikes in the mix and it can be chaotic. There are some cool brand new bike racks in town at the new 'west coast' design bakery/bank that I should take photos of. they only hold one or two bikes, have the fake wood plastic on the post where it will come into contact with the bike.<br />In Vancouver there are quite a few bike racks that have been yarn bombed and definitely should be encouraged.<br />And worst of all, is the local grocery store having a bike rack against a wall in a corner, next to the staff picnic table where they have smoke breaks! I avoid it at all costs.heathernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-5232104652594435632011-11-22T14:56:37.318-05:002011-11-22T14:56:37.318-05:00How odd!
Here in Seattle one rarely sees empty ...How odd! <br /><br />Here in Seattle one rarely sees empty racks like that. <br />Where I bike everyone mostly uses racks. There's one rack that's always totally jammed, but right next to it is a signpost in concrete that would be perfect for locking up. But no one ever uses it... except me. <br /><br /><br />They don't honk in traffic here either... everyone's too politically correct.<br /><br />:0)jnhttp://cromwelldixonsskycycle.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-63947078581463843792011-11-22T11:59:21.640-05:002011-11-22T11:59:21.640-05:00We have a mix of bike racks here in south Florida ...We have a mix of bike racks here in south Florida when you can find them:<br /><br />In West Palm Beach, there's like 2 downtown areas: CityPlace and the main downtown around Clematis Street. On Clematis, the DDA put in bike racks in the outline of coffee mugs to commemorate their cyclist friend who was killed by a car. I didnt realize they were supposed to be mugs with steam (I always wondered what the squiggles were sticking up) The rest of the racks are loops and they're wonderful and they're all over the waterfront. CityPlace has some catching up to do with only 3 places where there are racks within like 5 block radius. <br /><br />There's Publix (our supermarket in FL) who put in the horrid bike rack which my dutch bike can't ever fit into. In addition to not fitting into it, the racks are always obscured by shopping carts and those stupid half mini car for kids crap half shopping cart which all get slammed up against that rack. No thank you. The store is on a corner so the car parking is in the back where the racks and shopping cart mayhem is. There are two nice poles on the street corner on the other side of the store that everyone uses instead since the exit of the store on that side has stairs so no shopping carts.bikeWPBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02606163367700978867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-46466695444608256762011-11-22T09:37:54.545-05:002011-11-22T09:37:54.545-05:00This is an interesting topic and, to be honest, I ...This is an interesting topic and, to be honest, I haven't given it a lot of thought except for those few times when I've tried to lock the bike somewhere and the rack was full. <br /><br />I guess Minneapolis is pretty decent about bike parking. The city has a bike rack cost share program, whereby they'll split the cost 50/50 for a bike rack with the business. A lot of businesses have used the opportunity to fashion some pretty unusual bike racks, often in artistic shapes or in some way representing the business. I kind of like these racks because they're fun and creative but (usually) also functional. Here are a few examples: <br /><br />http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_luj5d86pEt1qcjadfo1_500.jpg<br /><br />http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/bicycles/images/bikeparking-rackinventory-1.jpg<br /><br />http://www.flickr.com/photos/austinparksfoundation/4880019292/<br /><br />Another popular one is the somewhat ironic bike shaped bike rack which crops up around here pretty frequently.MFarringtonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-73955750220701895322011-11-22T00:38:32.450-05:002011-11-22T00:38:32.450-05:00rosecampion said...
Especially seeing as while the...rosecampion said...<br />Especially seeing as while the racks are often full, there are tons of nearby parking meters, similarly sized light poles, yards and yards of iron fence, etc. Just a little further away.<br /><br />In many places it's illegal to lock your bike to a parking meter. Street signs yes, parking meters, no.<br /><br /><br />------------<br /><br />In my town, not only is it not illegal to lock to parking meters, many parking meters have these attached metal loops that state quite clearly 'lock bike here'. These meters I am talking about have the metal loop things, therefore are designated bike parking,Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-54777364206278033782011-11-22T00:17:30.316-05:002011-11-22T00:17:30.316-05:00Most available bike racks suck. They are of the fr...Most available bike racks suck. They are of the front-wheely type.<br />I have a parallel step through (not swan-like) and most racks in here do not allow me to attach both frame and front wheel in one lock. I have to carry two locks.<br /><br />Then, we REALLY have a lot of cyclists in this city so in strategic neibourhoods, racks are always full. Mind you, this dilutes the chances of having your wheels stolen IMO.<br /><br />Then some people will always try to squeeze they bikes even when it is obvious there is no more space. They'll even lock their bikes to yours hoping to be back before you, thus nailing your ass there until they're back!<br /><br />And yes, people do knock your stuff out, and that's a PITA when you have rear-view mirrors or baskets.<br />And what about the street cleaning and snow removal units who could not care less about your wheels?Montrealizehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08689176985812848399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-23499336177065042842011-11-21T23:21:17.051-05:002011-11-21T23:21:17.051-05:00One solution to the scratching problem, which was ...One solution to the scratching problem, which was mentioned in a reply above, is Yarnbombing, a colourful, creative art form, though maybe not weatherproof in the longer term ...<br />https://www.facebook.com/brunswickbomberAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-26530347872149933032011-11-21T23:17:13.583-05:002011-11-21T23:17:13.583-05:00I'll add my observations that I see few bike r...I'll add my observations that I see few bike racks that were placed by bicyclists. 2 libraries have bike racks around the side of the building (i.e. out of sight and exposed to weather). A few adults use it, but most of the kids don't. <br /><br />The one I've seen at a shopping center is parallel to a barrier 2 ft away. I may start using it soon. By placing the bike between the rack and the barrier, it may protect my bike from shopping carts and cars. As a wheelbender, it will never hold 6 bicycles, but it may work for 1<br /><br />Poorly secured racks can have occasional advantages. An number of years ago in Philadelphia, I found my bike across campus locked to a single bike rack bolted to the concrete. The rack was easily removed with a wrench. I called the campus police, who not only removed the rack but drove the (still locked) bike home for me when it started raining.<br /><br />ADAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-30883869318409693322011-11-21T20:09:06.467-05:002011-11-21T20:09:06.467-05:00I use the bike racks, but my bike has been damaged...I use the bike racks, but my bike has been damaged in them. My main commuter is sitting on my back porch right now, waiting for a new tire after someone scraped a hole in the side of the wall.The English Majorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03748482324996975136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-4162418178425389252011-11-21T19:55:19.844-05:002011-11-21T19:55:19.844-05:00Add "the bike racks are placed too far away f...Add "the bike racks are placed too far away from the person's intended destination". <br />http://www.simplebikeparking.com explains the "50 feet rule".Steven Vancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17187232603226921265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-68860250062661634092011-11-21T19:45:28.980-05:002011-11-21T19:45:28.980-05:00I usually don't use them as they rarely provid...I usually don't use them as they rarely provide enough space to park my bike without contact with another bike. It's like sardines in a can. <br /><br />Also, the space that some business owners want to allocate for bike parking is often very undesireable, out of the way, can't see your bike from a window, etc. I quit frequenting a local coffee shop when the owner decided to put a bike rack in an awful spot on the edge of his property next to a storm drain. This is the same owner that "authorized" some employees to move two bikes (mine and a friend's) to another location since we were taking up a parking spot with bikes. My bike ended up with a scratch on the top tube. Needless to say, they got an ear full with this move and I now take my business elsewhere.LuckyChow99https://www.blogger.com/profile/17427738654941583701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-52005304098396936212011-11-21T18:48:40.020-05:002011-11-21T18:48:40.020-05:00Its interesting that the bike racks in front of Ea...Its interesting that the bike racks in front of Earth Fare in my city only accommodate bikes with 26-inch wheels. Fortuntely they have a lot of vertical metal railing in front of the patio and I tether my bike there. The racks in front of one Sonic fits any tire size but is spaced very close together. I understand our city is interested in making art bike racks. Not sure that would go over well. I can see a cyclist standing there trying to figure out how to secure the bike.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-60371154794598176212011-11-21T18:31:57.944-05:002011-11-21T18:31:57.944-05:00In London, I've noticed a few of these croppin...In London, I've noticed a few of these cropping up http://www.cyclehoop.com/products/category/cyclehoops/<br /><br />I like the idea of bike racks that can be fitted onto existing lamp-posts and railings, and it's good that they've thought out being able to securely lock up the frame and wheels.<br /><br />On the whole, I tend to look for the normal Sheffield (upside down u shape) racks, though, as it's easier to lock through the rear wheel and dropouts if you don't have a top tube to lock to the rack. I hate those ones that are designed to put your wheel in though - they're just not thief proof!lizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04516483442612121049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-49314439572480201582011-11-21T17:32:15.732-05:002011-11-21T17:32:15.732-05:00This thread has me thinking about the amount of sp...This thread has me thinking about the amount of space allotted for bike parking via bike racks. I'd say generally, the expectation is that bikes be crammed into a tiny (unrealistic) amount of space on any given rack and so that's what cyclists try to do. <br /><br />I think this is like trying to fit 10 cars into a space that may only comfortably fit three, but its what we've always done. We've become accustomed to this arrangement so we don't question it. <br /><br />Its fun to imagine what comfortable bike parking might look like..dcainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03993605656392392942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-90184591632491602022011-11-21T16:54:05.335-05:002011-11-21T16:54:05.335-05:00"My teenage niece attends Rindge and Latin, a...<i>"My teenage niece attends Rindge and Latin, and according to her, high-schoolers see cycling to school as "un-cool", so that may explain the lack of bikes outside"</i><br /><br />Interesting that being picked up and dropped off by a parent is less uncool. I remember that being very embarrassing when I was in high school.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-4397610628585224172011-11-21T16:47:44.013-05:002011-11-21T16:47:44.013-05:00One situation that hasn't been touched upon ye...One situation that hasn't been touched upon yet is the "artistic" bike rack. This is when a business or city decides they want to have a special bike rack with some flair to it, and pay someone $$ to design and fabricate something unique. Maybe it's themed to correspond to the business, like this example in Portland's Hollywood District:<br />http://www.flickr.com/photos/thelebers/4145556588/<br /><br />Or this very literal example of a "bike rack" at the Salt Lake City Public Library:<br />http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidlaplante/2738664177/<br /><br />The former at least is based on a traditional wave rack, so it's somewhat functional. The latter, not so much, as you can see by how people have locked to it.<br /><br />I understand the desire for people to have a "Look at me!" type of bike rack, but I'd rather have function over form. Give me a staple rack any day.adventure!https://www.blogger.com/profile/11840448827760637569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-3176912995561922332011-11-21T15:14:04.169-05:002011-11-21T15:14:04.169-05:00At my local whole foods, I always lock my bike up ...At my local whole foods, I always lock my bike up to the bars around the walk ramp in front of the building (on the outer part, so as to not be in the way of baby carriages, wheelchairs, etc.). There are some racks on the side of the building, but the lack of security cameras, windows, and lights are what keep me (and others) from locking up in the sanctioned area.tmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11794767345499432177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-63645166814728170672011-11-21T14:52:50.872-05:002011-11-21T14:52:50.872-05:00The City of Cambridge has a nice brochure on the p...The City of Cambridge has a nice brochure on the placement and nature of acceptable racks:<br /><br />http://www.cambridgema.gov/CityOfCambridge_Content/documents/tpat_BikeParkingBrochure.pdfcyclerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10331461189944538729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-9909337938745616822011-11-21T14:44:06.693-05:002011-11-21T14:44:06.693-05:00rosecampion said...
Especially seeing as while the...rosecampion said...<br /><i>Especially seeing as while the racks are often full, there are tons of nearby parking meters, similarly sized light poles, yards and yards of iron fence, etc. Just a little further away.</i><br /><br />In many places it's illegal to lock your bike to a parking meter. Street signs yes, parking meters, no.sausendnoreply@blogger.com