Bike parking etiquette

Can we agree that it's bad etiquette to take up both posts of the typical upside down U racks that we have here in Chicago? I always park my bike at a 45 degree angle, which keeps the other post completely free without the bike going to far out onto the sidewalk. But I see a lot of people with their bikes flush against both posts, making it difficult if not impossible for 2 bikes to occupy one rack.

I get that if you have two u locks you have a modicum of additional security by locking a lock on each post- but I think it's still bad etiquette- you could lock one to the rack (front wheel and frame perhaps), and the other could lock the other wheel to the frame. Slightly less secure but still pretty dang secure, without using up more than your share of rack space.

Views: 3101

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by ad on July 16, 2019 at 5:59am

if you start conversations where you're actually, genuinely interested in a dialogue regarding certain conduct with "can we agree that it's bad etiquette," I feel bad for people that have to make small talk with you at parties.  Again, if you don't want this forum to be a tough crowd, don't make the atmosphere tough by making inflammatory statements based on your own subjective opinions.     

Permalink Reply by V W on July 16, 2019 at 10:11am

I don't see that as inflammatory, but we can agree to disagree.

If you want I'll rephrase it to "less than best etiquette".

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on August 6, 2019 at 4:29am

Common - yes. Acceptable? Not really. Being a rack hog is rude.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on August 6, 2019 at 4:28am

Thank you John. I get frustrated with rack hogs who make it impossible for 2 bikes to use one rack.

Permalink Reply by Paul Lazzaro on July 16, 2019 at 4:28am

The great thing about the inverted U racks is that they are useable for almost any kind of bike.  I like the idea of parking at a slight angle to one of the posts, rather than leaning on both of them.  That keeps the bikes farther apart (so your nice bike doesn't get damaged by the klutz using the other side of the rack), eliminates the possibility of accidentally locking them together, and still doesn't obstruct access to the sidewalk or nearby bike racks.

IMO, a much bigger problem than how people use the inverted U racks is that there aren't enough of them!  The other kinds of racks that are typically installed at stores, libraries, etc. are often placed so close to walls or each other that they are completely useless.

Permalink Reply by V W on July 16, 2019 at 5:20am

Yeah- I think the slight angle is the better practice for all of those reasons- and thus the better etiquette.

I've also seen the racks you describe. Theres a bar I know with a rack in a gangway that is so close to the wall no one ever parks there, because there's no way to get your bike close enough to it.

Permalink Reply by Jim Reho on July 16, 2019 at 5:13am

First of all, while on the subject of bike racks, it would have been great if they had left more of the old parking meters in place for that purpose.  Secondly, with regard to a parking, the bike I usually ride has a Pinhead security axle on the rear wheel, which makes is reasonably secure.  So, I will lock the front wheel and frame to one leg of the U-rack facing away from it, leaving as much space as possible for other parkers.  

Permalink Reply by V W on July 16, 2019 at 5:24am

+1

Permalink Reply by Ernesto Lube on July 16, 2019 at 3:11pm

Yes, I use the same axles on most my bikes. 

Last year I went to see Avengers: Infinity War after work at Block 37. I was riding a bike with thru axles and all I had was my Kryptonite U-Lock - locked it to a U-rack. Removed front wheel. Kept axle with me. Locked the whole contraption with fingers crossed... frame and rear wheel and front wheel all locked together. The sneaky part, I removed the bike chain (master link) in case bike was stolen, joke is on the thief (2017 carbon Diamond Back Haanjo with HED wheels).

After movie, bike was intact. Put bike chain back on, went about my business. Went home. I am glad that U-rack was near the entrance.

Permalink Reply by V W on July 16, 2019 at 3:27pm

Dang, that's a lot of effort to secure your stuff. And I'm assuming you had at least one post of that U rack free and unencumbered to allow you to lock that contraption without having to lift it all into an awkward position.

Permalink Reply by Ernesto Lube on July 16, 2019 at 10:14am

There's one of these U things at Loyola's administrative office building on E Pearson St.

We managed to lock four bikes there. All perpendicular. Every day.

Permalink Reply by V W on July 16, 2019 at 10:21am

Exactly Ernesto! If they were locked parallel you would have been limited to 2 bikes max. Locking at an angle also frees up the middle for a person (or two, apparently) who is willing to lift their bike up and straddle the rack. 

RSS

Groups

© 2008-2016   The Chainlink Community, L.L.C.   Powered by

Disclaimer  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service