Input Requested: Bike Storage and Security

[melissam]

Greetings, TEers!

One of my company's interns is an Industrial Design major at San Jose State. His senior project is to design bicycle storage solutions for the San Jose downtown area. He is requesting input and insight from cyclists to help build a better solution for bike storage and security.

Please feel free to answer his questions by posting a reply on this thread. I will give him a link to this thread so he can check out the results.

Thanks for your help -- this is our chance to give input on something that we can all benefit from!

-- Melissa

1. Describe your bicycling activities?
2. Describe your ideal bicycle storage solution?
3. Describe your last resort bicycle storage solution?
4. What do you dislike about current bike storage solutions?
5. How do you usually secure your bicycle when leaving it outside?
6. If your bike has ever stolen or vandalized, how did the thieves accomplish their evil act?
7. If your bike has NEVER been stolen or vandalized, what are you doing to keep it out of their hands?
8. Where do you currently store your bike accessories when securing your bike? (helmets, shoes, etc)
9. What would you love a bike storage structure to do that none currently do?
10. Any other suggestions, comments, rants, and dreams!

[ChickWithBrains]

1. I only do road cycling now. I would do some commuting (like I did in college) but won't because I cannot store my bike safely.

2. The U of MN had bike storage units of molded plastic that were attached to the ground with a hinge at the rear and a lock a the front on the ground. The plastic shell completely encased the bike. Others were square lockers which fully encased the bike. Because I have components that aren't lockable to the bike, I would not use any other type of system which didn't protect the whole package.

3. Last resort is multiple chains and locks, but really, I don't ever even do that. Instead I end up trucking my bike with me inside shops or offices when it's appropriate and allowed.

4. Don't prevent vandalism nor theft of small components.

5. I rarely lock my bike outside, but when I do, it's with a kryptonite lock and a thick cable. I only do this when I can see it from where I am inside.

6. Bike was only stolen when I left it unlocked in a place I could see it, but I turned away. Found soon thereafter. Had my seat stolen from a well locked setup, but of course I couldn't lock the quick-release seatpost.

7. See all the above.

8. I take them with me. Occassionally I have locked my helmet to my bike through the body of the helmet (via vents), but the rest comes with me.

9. I want these near where I work and shop!!! (I moved to NYC and have no notions of commuting all the way to MN )

10. Bulky storage units aren't anyone's best answer because they take up valuable real estate. There simply isn't space for the most part. That being said, we need more of them for serious commuters. Large companies can be the best instigators of change. It's all about convincing local governments and corporations that they need these!

[mimitabby]

-- Melissa

1. Describe your bicycling activities?
   bike commuter and weekend fun rides
2. Describe your ideal bicycle storage solution?
   ideal of course would be a lockable bike locker with ventilation
3. Describe your last resort bicycle storage solution?
   lock bike to waterpipe or other immovable object using heavy duty lock.
4. What do you dislike about current bike storage solutions?
   I am happy with what we have here at my office
5. How do you usually secure your bicycle when leaving it outside?
   lock bike to waterpipe or other immovable object using heavy duty lock.
   if there is nothing like that i take bike with me (to store, to bathroom)
6. If your bike has ever stolen or vandalized, how did the thieves accomplish their evil act?
   not in the last 40 years
7. If your bike has NEVER been stolen or vandalized, what are you doing to keep it out of their hands?
   storage inside, always locking
8. Where do you currently store your bike accessories when securing your bike? (helmets, shoes, etc)
   at work i have a locker. Otherwise, I carry stuff. In safe environments, I will place helmet under locked bike.
   
9. What would you love a bike storage structure to do that none currently do?
   see above under ideal
10. Any other suggestions, comments, rants, and dreams!

[light_sabe_r]

1. Describe your bicycling activities?
I tri, and I commute to and from work. Occassionally I'll take her to the shops but the bike storage isn't secure.
2. Describe your ideal bicycle storage solution?
At frequently used places (work) A locked room with lockers for bike shoe/work shoe, helmet and other essentials storage.
3. Describe your last resort bicycle storage solution?
A Pole with my bike lock
4. What do you dislike about current bike storage solutions?
They're too low brow. A chicken wire cage in the car park isn't exactly a nice venue.
5. How do you usually secure your bicycle when leaving it outside?
Bike lock to a bike rack
6. If your bike has ever stolen or vandalized, how did the thieves accomplish their evil act?
No...
7. If your bike has NEVER been stolen or vandalized, what are you doing to keep it out of their hands?
Keeping it locked up in bike storage at work, locking it when I got to the shops and storing it upstairs in my study instead of outside.
8. Where do you currently store your bike accessories when securing your bike? (helmets, shoes, etc)
Helmet, On the bike... Every thing else under my desk at work
9. What would you love a bike storage structure to do that none currently do?
Lockers for EXTRA items for for high users
10. Any other suggestions, comments, rants, and dreams!
A bit of colour and some showers wouldn't go astray either... EVEN BETTER... an fixed track AIR PUMP with PSI reading bolted to the floor, provided in the storage area on the days when you get a flat and have to replace it yourself!