Inadequate/no bike parking@big public bldgs.

[MartianDestiny]

Covered bike parking? Again, in my car, I don't have the luxury of covered parking (although I did see a grocery in Scottsdale that had that). What about cyclists makes them more important as a customer that they would rate covered parking? Or to park near the door?

I don't give a crap where the bike parking is, so long as it is there, secure rather than decorative, and reasonably safe to access. (As you've noted having to lock a bike to a cart corral is not safe for bike or cyclist. Having a bike rack in a parking space or near the other parking could be depending on how it is laid out).

Realistically if a place is going to put in bike racks at all it's going to be up front. Either in the dead space between parking and the lane in front of the store, or on the sidewalk somewhere. I doubt this is solely (or even primarily) out of consideration for the good little tree hugging bicyclists and more out of concern for their pocketbooks and the convenience of the majority of their customers. Put the bike rack in a parking spot and that's one more spot a car can't get in, a potential inconvenience for the majority of customers. Also, most projects with any foresight set the racks in the concrete; this, I imagine, is both simpler and cheaper than trying to set them in asphalt. Even if they don't have foresight, it's probably cheaper and easier to set bolts in existing concrete than in existing asphalt. Concrete exists up towards the front of the store and not really elsewhere for most major grocery stores and "megamarts" thus bike racks end up towards the front.

I've been to a few places where bike parking was off to one side or around the corner of the store/mall. I have no issues with that so long as it's marked or visible (or I won't find it and be annoyed that I can't lock my bike to anything!) and reasonably safe and secure (not in some dark back alley where I'm asking to get mugged, etc).

If a store/mall/shopping area doesn't want to provide me with a decent bike rack that is entirely their prerogative. It's also entirely my prerogative to be annoyed and not give them my business. Luckily it's rare that this is an issue in my area.

[shootingstar]

I don't give a crap where the bike parking is, so long as it is there, secure rather than decorative, and reasonably safe to access.

You mean cutie bike posts like these?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vancouv...7608992816756/

[TxDoc]

You mean cutie bike posts like these?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vancouv...7608992816756/

Now, if they do this around here - I may even decide to leave the car and start commuting!

[MartianDestiny]

You mean cutie bike posts like these?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vancouv...7608992816756/

The lightbulb doesn't bother me too much. I can certainly secure a bike with that.

Some are just dumb and make it nearly impossible to get frame, rear wheel, and bike rack all in a U-lock.

[shootingstar]

Newly installed bike racks near one of our local light rapid train stations (Sperliing station, on Millenium Line) and major bike route that was recently extended.

Others felt it was a practical design. The diameter of the round wheel design plus supporting bike post allows proper locking.

[skhill]

A lack of bike parking is one of my pet peeves-- especially when it's a business that's on a road that has a bike lane. But you know, sometimes if you ask, the business will respond. My primary grocery store has several employees that bike to work, and quite a few customers too, and a couple months ago 3 of us biking customers went in there together to ask the manager to please put in a bike rack. And guess what? They did! It's in a bad location (right by the door, under cover, but next to a previously existing sign prohibiting bikes/skateboards/skates etc. on the sidewalk) and not bolted down. So we're usually still using the trees off to the side, while we're hoping for something a little more usable. Still, they responded. They meant well. Now we just need to iron out the details...

My nearest Wal-Mart, on the other hand.... not responsive

Anyway, sometimes, if you ask, businesses will respond.

[Reesha]

I should write a letter to Schnucks about bike parking at Culinaria... maybe see if anyone else wants to do it with me through the StL biking forum?

[spokewench]

I know this is really hard to understand; and I hate it too. But, the only way to get anything changed, is to start getting involved in your local politics. Is there a traffic commission in your city that you can start to attend and begin telling them the importance of bike/pedestrian traffic, bike parking, etc.?

Is there a bike advocacy group that actually gets together and is vocal in local politics? If there is not, start one. It only takes one person to do this. We can all complain about this stuff, but nothing will happen until we band together to make the needs known.

Even when you do make these concerns clear, the powers that be, and people who do not ride a bike will decide not to address them. It takes long term perseverence. I am on the bicycle advisory committee in town that is a an advisory committee to the traffic commission. We have a say in what goes on in out town; sometimes they listen, sometimes they don't. Sometimes, it takes 10-15 years for something to happen and when it does it is a great big deal. At least to cyclists. We have had guidelines in our town for bike parking to be placed at new building construction. These were only guidelines however and did not have to be built. However, the City is now undergoing a complete revision of building codes and it looks very good that the guideline will now be a requirement! It has taken a lot of long years to get here and we are not quite there yet. SO I am crossing my fingers and hoping.

So, get involved. Perhaps things will change in your City.

spoke

[shootingstar]

It takes long term perseverence. I am on the bicycle advisory committee in town that is a an advisory committee to the traffic commission. We have a say in what goes on in out town; sometimes they listen, sometimes they don't. Sometimes, it takes 10-15 years for something to happen and when it does it is a great big deal. At least to cyclists. We have had guidelines in our town for bike parking to be placed at new building construction. These were only guidelines however and did not have to be built. However, the City is now undergoing a complete revision of building codes and it looks very good that the guideline will now be a requirement! It has taken a lot of long years to get here and we are not quite there yet. SO I am crossing my fingers and hoping.
spoke

+ yes, perseverance. Great that you're giving some time to volunteer on committee. Where the real engine of change can occur for local cycling facilities.

My partner is one of 10 members on Vancouver's bicycling advisory committee. An application and review process to become a member. This year there was competition amongst folks to get on this committee!

Bike parking is not as sexy right now as...bike routes. So perhaps, this results in lack of municipal will/drive to enforce.

City of Vancouver actually has a bylaw (in U.S. it's called a "local ordinance"?) that requires developers for new building developments to install bike parking on their property or nearby. Problem is that it is not always rigorously enforced, which means pressuring developers to finish their construction job properly. This requirement must be written directly into project contract documents before municipality signs off approval before construction starts..and at completion when building/property inspection is done by the city before building completion is signed off by city. It's been paid for...otherwise it will cost even more money to install several years later. Remember, developers and construction subcontractors are to make money and they will skimp here and there. That's part of the game. This cannot be handled verbally, it must be done in writing to the developer/construction subcontractor company.
http://vancouver.ca/engsvcs/parking/...developers.htm

City of Toronto has a form that any local citizen to fill out their request. Captures all necessary info. to allow them to make a site visit plus assess request. This year they will install 3,000 bike parking posts.
http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/postandring.htm

Toronto recently had a study done in a particularily busy retail, commercial area which is close to residential buildings on side streets. To determine modes of transportation used by customers. Key study which helps knock down fierce arguments from local businesses who perceive their customer base is only car based and may resist bike lanes, bike parking facilities, etc. Document pgs. 15, 18 and onward provides the summary details on proportion of customers and transportation modal share.
http://www.cleanairpartnership.org/p...0-%20Final.pdf

Hopefully, spokewench that your city will learn from others.


As for my ramblings about construction contract agreements and need to embed requirements in such documents, it is based on what I saw when working for the engineering construction firm in terms of documentation which did include design of cycling facilities/structures. My dept. was responsible for organizing all documentation..so I saw alot....

[shootingstar]

Regardless of whatever exists in your community, it is still useful to make request (in writing preferably) to the building owner/developer as a local citizen. They often are also clueless if they are car-focused themselves.