I have baskets and racks on a cruiser. Rare is the bike rack that fits my fat tired basketey bike, so I usually just find something very tall to lock up around. I find I can brace my bike between seat and pedal against a post/tree/sign and it’ll stand. I may have to loop a bungee round the frame and hook on either side to the fender stays so my front wheel stays put, though. My bike is top-heavy that way.
One might also say that Thistle has blocked (8?) bike spaces with her 1 Bakfeits???
(Just kidding)
It is hard to see how else she COULD have parked. Also – the staples protect her bike from motors!
that would be ‘bakfiets’ :
- ‘bak’ = a (portable) container or storage space;
- fiets = bicycle
cargo bike would probably be better translation.
of course it also happens to be the manufacturer/model in this instance.
//
I wished bike spaces were designed to accommodate more bike types than just the basic ‘safety bike’ variant.
@ Tencon – yep, that’s what the driver SHOULD be thinking. I have this idea that Critical Mass rides and “Cycle To Work” days probably antagonise a lot of car drivers who, instead of thinking “What a lot of cars those cyclists are replacing” think “Those slow cyclists are getting in my way.” So I think that instead of “Cycle To Work”, there should be “Drive To Work” days, when every cyclist who owns a car uses it instead of the bike. Bumper / window stickers along the lines of “Now would you prefer me on my bike?” or “I followed your advice and took my bike off the road” might help to drive home the message that discouraging people from cycling adds to congestion rather than reducing it.
@Troiker – That assumes that drivers will actually read the messages!
IMHO people read everyting but only choose to comprehend and remember that which suits them…
I was thinking about what response should be given to the removal of the Jarvis Street bike lane in Toronto. At first I was thinking of a Critical Mass bike ride but now I’ve reconsidered. Instead, all the people who normally cycle should get a car and drive it at the same time on Jarvis. Show them what happens when you encourage only one mode.
Just think what would happen if us cyclists started taking one parking space per bike. In Cambridge there would be no space for any cars anywhere. The sheffield racks in frame 1 would have 20+ bikes on it within minutes of it being completed round here.
Maybe I should start a campaign to have each parking space forced to have one of those sunken post things you can lock motorbikes to. Then we could take up as much space as a car/van/tank(SUV) when we park. Oh the mayhem…
No, not much mayhem. A lot of crushed bikes, however. Your proposal is unrealistic and opressive in the opposite direction: It makes no room for cars. I’ve seen enough anger putting on motorcycle or scooter in a car’s parking space (when you can fit two or three with no problem). Now do that with a bike that weighs relatively nothing and can be run over with minimal damage to the car.
The last paragraph was supposed to have ‘dreamMode’ tags around it but they got stripped out on posting.
I was really just thinking what if every bike decided to take up as much space as a car. Especially round here where ~30% of all journeys are made by bike.
Okay John – From another John (me) – What are ‘dreamMode Tags’ please?
I googled but have only come with game references and one to ‘How Mars rover got its ‘dream mode’
Dream mode is a special set of tags I add around things when I go into a dream. In films it’s the shimmery fade sort of like the flashback, but in text its dreamMode. The great thing about XML/Html is you can make up your own tags – of course then you have to write code to do something with them…
I don’t think its an official standard though – I’ve not submitted it to w3c or anything…
When I commuted by motorcycle my company’s parking garage wouldn’t let me park in it. They pointed to a sign on teh barrier bar that said “No Motorcycles”. I pointed out that the sign was installed on the barrier at the factory and didn’t actually reflect a company rule. After I gained admittance I found a triangular spot to park by bike that a car couldn’t fit in. Now they complained that it actually wasn’t a parking spot and I had to move it. Then I explained that “Sure, I’ll just take up a full parking space that a car would otherwise use.” 2 days later they said they had thought it over and decided I was right. Later when I switched to riding by bicycle to work I went thru the same mess.
Using common sense is overrated. It is nothing more than proceeding confidently and incompetently ahead despite possessing absolutely no relevant knowledge about the task at hand.
If you want to rely on common sense, i.e., an absence of relevant knowledge, feel free. Personally, I’d rather make informed decisions in life, something impossible to do if one “uses” common sense.
funny I got a ticket on the last Navy Base I was assigned to for parking in a triangle end as well. They pointed out that I should have been parked in one of the “motorcycle” parking places. When I pointed out that the 11 motorcycle spots on base were on the other side of the base from the building I worked in they were at a loss to come up with an answer. The other 4 motorcyclists who worked in my building came up with the Illegal solution of taking over the space next to the triangle with a sawhorse for motorcycle parking and using the triangle as the pull in/out area. This lasted a year until the Base CO saw it and decided we had shown too much common sense and posted signs near most of the similar spots on base for motorcycle storage…they did make us get rid of the sawhorse though but we only had to have 2 cars towed before it became known that it was reserved parking.
Been there, experienced that, many times. It’s amazing how long it can take for general common sense to finally kick in. You’d think the parking garage would be overjoyed that an otherwise useless space was being productively used . . . . . and . . . . . . still leaving another space open for a car.
I had a thing happen when the company I worked for moved into a new building. It had all been arranged to get a bike rack installed in the underground parking garage but when we moved into the new building, suddenly we had less parking than the old place and it was competitive. When I went to see about the bike rack they were saying they couldn’t afford the space anymore because there aren’t enough spots as it is. I was shocked and then responded that most of their employees live within 15 blocks and so the more of them that are able to bike to work, the more car spots will be left for the others. This logic worked and we got our rack.
The parking problem: great subject. I have my commuter all uglied out but a talented thief could still recognize the XT parts and the Brooks saddle. I’m always a little nervous when there’s a good place to chain up and pretty neurotic when there isn’t.
I’d prefer they were available, but in a rather more “secluded” area then right where motorists can “accidentally” crush them out of spite. Either that or protect them with crash posts and/or railroad iron.
I think the guy in the pickup is just mad that he paid $147 to fill the tank, and now has to waste it all going around the block to find a parking spot…..
I’ve been pushing for a bike corral near the waterfront in Alexandria, VA, where multiple counts of cyclists reveal that thousands of people are riding there each day. City staff is supportive, but there are a lot of citizens’ groups to deal with. Here is an actual quote from a member of the Waterfront Commission: “Bike corral. That sound’s ugly.”
It’s like trying to give money to someone who doesn’t know what money is.
Thank-you Thistle! What a great re-frame! Will think of this next time motordom rages in my direction.
Bike Corrals… they’re coming to a place near you!
My town has almost no bike racks….I have taken to using my Fuggedaboutit chain and locking my bike to benches
I have baskets and racks on a cruiser. Rare is the bike rack that fits my fat tired basketey bike, so I usually just find something very tall to lock up around. I find I can brace my bike between seat and pedal against a post/tree/sign and it’ll stand. I may have to loop a bungee round the frame and hook on either side to the fender stays so my front wheel stays put, though. My bike is top-heavy that way.
One might also say that Thistle has blocked (8?) bike spaces with her 1 Bakfeits???
(Just kidding)
It is hard to see how else she COULD have parked. Also – the staples protect her bike from motors!
When do we get the ‘Gun Fight at the OK Corral’?
I have the same issue with my Big Dummy…sometimes it is hard to find a good angle with the longer bike…but then my Brompton doesn’t need those at all…
that would be ‘bakfiets’ :
- ‘bak’ = a (portable) container or storage space;
- fiets = bicycle
cargo bike would probably be better translation.
of course it also happens to be the manufacturer/model in this instance.
//
I wished bike spaces were designed to accommodate more bike types than just the basic ‘safety bike’ variant.
On a serious note – the driver could be thinking – ONLY one space for so many bikes – wonderful!
From that statement I assume that: a. You don’t drive and/or own a car, or, b. You’re an incredibly unrealistic optimist.
cant think of a yehuda follower who suddenly implements the bad motorist pattern as soon as he drives a car. at least i dont.
Sorry Syke – I ought to have written ‘SHOULD be thinking’ instead of ‘Could…’
Yeah, right. He’ll get used to it.
@ Tencon – yep, that’s what the driver SHOULD be thinking. I have this idea that Critical Mass rides and “Cycle To Work” days probably antagonise a lot of car drivers who, instead of thinking “What a lot of cars those cyclists are replacing” think “Those slow cyclists are getting in my way.” So I think that instead of “Cycle To Work”, there should be “Drive To Work” days, when every cyclist who owns a car uses it instead of the bike. Bumper / window stickers along the lines of “Now would you prefer me on my bike?” or “I followed your advice and took my bike off the road” might help to drive home the message that discouraging people from cycling adds to congestion rather than reducing it.
@Troiker – That assumes that drivers will actually read the messages!
IMHO people read everyting but only choose to comprehend and remember that which suits them…
I was thinking about what response should be given to the removal of the Jarvis Street bike lane in Toronto. At first I was thinking of a Critical Mass bike ride but now I’ve reconsidered. Instead, all the people who normally cycle should get a car and drive it at the same time on Jarvis. Show them what happens when you encourage only one mode.
Just think what would happen if us cyclists started taking one parking space per bike. In Cambridge there would be no space for any cars anywhere. The sheffield racks in frame 1 would have 20+ bikes on it within minutes of it being completed round here.
Maybe I should start a campaign to have each parking space forced to have one of those sunken post things you can lock motorbikes to. Then we could take up as much space as a car/van/tank(SUV) when we park. Oh the mayhem…
that’d be like pretending you’re very fat by covvulsive pushing other people aside with your extended arms.
No, not much mayhem. A lot of crushed bikes, however. Your proposal is unrealistic and opressive in the opposite direction: It makes no room for cars. I’ve seen enough anger putting on motorcycle or scooter in a car’s parking space (when you can fit two or three with no problem). Now do that with a bike that weighs relatively nothing and can be run over with minimal damage to the car.
Good point on the crushed bikes Skye.
The last paragraph was supposed to have ‘dreamMode’ tags around it but they got stripped out on posting.
I was really just thinking what if every bike decided to take up as much space as a car. Especially round here where ~30% of all journeys are made by bike.
Okay John – From another John (me) – What are ‘dreamMode Tags’ please?
I googled but have only come with game references and one to ‘How Mars rover got its ‘dream mode’
Dream mode is a special set of tags I add around things when I go into a dream. In films it’s the shimmery fade sort of like the flashback, but in text its dreamMode. The great thing about XML/Html is you can make up your own tags – of course then you have to write code to do something with them…
I don’t think its an official standard though – I’ve not submitted it to w3c or anything…
When I commuted by motorcycle my company’s parking garage wouldn’t let me park in it. They pointed to a sign on teh barrier bar that said “No Motorcycles”. I pointed out that the sign was installed on the barrier at the factory and didn’t actually reflect a company rule. After I gained admittance I found a triangular spot to park by bike that a car couldn’t fit in. Now they complained that it actually wasn’t a parking spot and I had to move it. Then I explained that “Sure, I’ll just take up a full parking space that a car would otherwise use.” 2 days later they said they had thought it over and decided I was right. Later when I switched to riding by bicycle to work I went thru the same mess.
This illustrates both the inadequacy of LAWS, and the stupidity of those who blindly adhere to/worship them. Zero common sense, zero thinking.
Using common sense is overrated. It is nothing more than proceeding confidently and incompetently ahead despite possessing absolutely no relevant knowledge about the task at hand.
That’s Ok…. You just keep on thinking that…
@Zorba
If you want to rely on common sense, i.e., an absence of relevant knowledge, feel free. Personally, I’d rather make informed decisions in life, something impossible to do if one “uses” common sense.
funny I got a ticket on the last Navy Base I was assigned to for parking in a triangle end as well. They pointed out that I should have been parked in one of the “motorcycle” parking places. When I pointed out that the 11 motorcycle spots on base were on the other side of the base from the building I worked in they were at a loss to come up with an answer. The other 4 motorcyclists who worked in my building came up with the Illegal solution of taking over the space next to the triangle with a sawhorse for motorcycle parking and using the triangle as the pull in/out area. This lasted a year until the Base CO saw it and decided we had shown too much common sense and posted signs near most of the similar spots on base for motorcycle storage…they did make us get rid of the sawhorse though but we only had to have 2 cars towed before it became known that it was reserved parking.
Been there, experienced that, many times. It’s amazing how long it can take for general common sense to finally kick in. You’d think the parking garage would be overjoyed that an otherwise useless space was being productively used . . . . . and . . . . . . still leaving another space open for a car.
I had a thing happen when the company I worked for moved into a new building. It had all been arranged to get a bike rack installed in the underground parking garage but when we moved into the new building, suddenly we had less parking than the old place and it was competitive. When I went to see about the bike rack they were saying they couldn’t afford the space anymore because there aren’t enough spots as it is. I was shocked and then responded that most of their employees live within 15 blocks and so the more of them that are able to bike to work, the more car spots will be left for the others. This logic worked and we got our rack.
We are winning… they are whining!!!
Brace yourselves:
http://uptownalmanac.com/2012/07/car-plows-through-zeitgeists-bike-rack-multiple-fixies-injuried
Lets parking for 17 bikes or 1 car hmmm?
The parking problem: great subject. I have my commuter all uglied out but a talented thief could still recognize the XT parts and the Brooks saddle. I’m always a little nervous when there’s a good place to chain up and pretty neurotic when there isn’t.
I’d prefer they were available, but in a rather more “secluded” area then right where motorists can “accidentally” crush them out of spite. Either that or protect them with crash posts and/or railroad iron.
I think the guy in the pickup is just mad that he paid $147 to fill the tank, and now has to waste it all going around the block to find a parking spot…..
I’ve been pushing for a bike corral near the waterfront in Alexandria, VA, where multiple counts of cyclists reveal that thousands of people are riding there each day. City staff is supportive, but there are a lot of citizens’ groups to deal with. Here is an actual quote from a member of the Waterfront Commission: “Bike corral. That sound’s ugly.”
It’s like trying to give money to someone who doesn’t know what money is.