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Good News Friday: Better Bike Parking at Culinaria

The best urban bike racks:

  1. Allow the cyclist to secure both wheels & frame to the rack
  2. Support bikes that don’t have kickstands
  3. Position the bike so as not block the public sidewalk
  4. Are located near the entrance

When downtown’s grocery store, Culinaria, opened in August 2009 they had bike parking but missed on all four of the above points.

When Culinaria opened in August 2009 I was disappointed by the four "dish drainer"  bike racks along 9th Street
When Culinaria opened in August 2009 I was disappointed by the four “dish drainer” bike racks along 9th Street

The “dish drainer” is the worst urban bike rack.

Over a year ago when I was working with Culinaria’s new manager, Adam Scheer, on reducing the number of cafe tables blocking the public sidewalk (see Balancing Sidewalk Seating & Walkability at Culinaria) I also discussed bike parking with him. A few weeks later he told me they were working on new bike parking — which was just completed.

May 26th I posted this image to Twitter & Facebook of the new rack being installed on 9th Street
May 26th I posted this image to Twitter & Facebook of the new rack being installed on 9th Street
When I returned Yesterday installation was complete
When I returned yesterday installation was complete
Closer view of the rack using previously wasted right-of-way
Closer view of the rack using previously wasted right-of-way

High visibility is a boost for cycling — everyone coming/going at Culinaria will see the bike parking — hopefully cyclists will begin using it in large numbers.

Yesterday morning only one bike was parked in front of the store, narrowing the sidewalk.
Yesterday morning only one bike was parked in front of the store, narrowing the sidewalk.

I’m not sure if they plan to remove the four dish drainer racks, I mentioned that when I emailed them sharing my pleasure at the new rack on 9th near the entry.

— Steve Patterson

 

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