Rethinking Glover Park

This article about a rebuilt Glover Park seemed to capture all the re-urbanization of a neighborhood that's generally good for cyclists.

In the model Glover Park, sidewalks are wide, uncluttered and lined with trees, parking is readily available, pedestrians move safely and easily and restaurants thrive.

The only place it mentioned bikes though was in this line:

The report also suggests relocating and consolidating news stands and bike racks, widening sidewalks, planting street trees and maximizing the 780 existing garage and private lot parking spaces through improved access and visibility.

So I went to the source document. Usually planning documents read like science fiction, fantastic and unlikely. This one is a bit heavy on its reliance on cars and parking. But the real problem is how it views bicycles. Bikes are described as "clutter." Photos are included to demonstrate how "Randomly located bike racks create a dangerous pedestrian environment." (I agree) And the report states:

Existing quality of the streetscape and the public realm require some improvements to provide a safer, more pleasant, and inviting commercial environment for residents and visitors. For example, …parked bikes locked to parking meters and utility poles [is one] of the issues addressed in the recomendations

But it isn't. Or not in the way a cyclist would address it. Their one solution to this "clutter" is

The Office of Planning should coordinate with The Department of Public Works and discuss the relocation of bike racks along the sidewalk to reduce clutter.

I agree that bikes locked to parking meters and poles may constitute a safety hazard and reduce the quality of the streetscape. I agree that "randomly" placed bike racks are bad. But simply moving the bike racks won't solve anything. First of all, if cyclists are locking their bikes to street furniture, that means there aren't enough good places for them to park. So more - strategically placed - bike racks are needed. 

Second, cyclists will not park a block away just because that's where the bike rack is. So if inverted U's are not going to be placed at regular intervals along the sidewalk, then the parking offered had better be worth walking to/from. It should be covered, more secure or more accessible. This might work. Or this. Or the on-street bike parking from Montreal seen in this photo. But simply moving the bike rack...bad solution.

Comments

[iconoclasst]

Gotta love the "bike jail" image from the second link: locked up for the crime of underconsumption and put on display as a warning to others who might be inclined toward sedition.

Isn't that wrought iron fence a little much?

[washcycle]

Well, it's New York City - at a transit stop (where the bike might be left all day), so I'm not sure even that's enough security for the Big Apple.

I do like the idea of putting two bikes in there for a little Thunderdome-style steel cage death match. My bike would so win.

[Chris]

Even better would be something like what they are now using in Portland, OR.

http://bikeportland.org/2006/11/30/more-on-street-bike-parking-comes-to-north-portland/

[iconoclasst]

Wait WC, are you saying that the "cage" locks somehow? I thought maybe it was just supposed to look intimidating to the casual, opportunistic bike thief or something.

BTW, what do you ride?

[Contrarian]

A bike locked to a parking meter is a safety hazard? Give me a break!

[washcycle]

If you look at the picture of the cage, there's a little mechanical box on the corner. I think that requires a swipe card or something for access. I ride a Specialized Sirrus mostly.

A bike locked to a parking meter could be a safety hazard depending on the location, but most (98%) of the time, I think they're fine. In general I'm brought back to the numerous times my dad yelled at me for using a screwdriveer as a hammer - "For every job there is one right tool" he would say. A parking meter is not the right tool (it may be more like using a butter knife as a screwdriver though).