The Chainlink

Name That (WTF?) Bike Rack: April Fools' Edition

You go to lock-up, but something's awry.  It's time to play

Name That (WTF?) Bike Rack

Where are they?  If you can identify the location of either of these two, um, bike racks (?), then add your reply below.  Both are in Chicago.  Wild guesses and photo captions are also welcome.  Hints might be provided later.  Rack junkies seeking inspiration can revisit the last nineteen rounds of Name That Bike Rack. 

WTF Rack #1

WTF Rack #2

Strange location? No bikes allowed. It prevents cars from driving around the arm and into the paylot.  

Meet the most confused bike rack, ever.

"No bicycle parking," say the stickers.  

Good luck!

Fun Facts About Bike Racks

They are known as bicycle stands in other English-speaking countries.

More than 400 new racks are added to Chicago's streets every year.

One local cyclist got to install their own Madrax Mini-Advocate rack after winning it in The Chainlink Tune-up campaign.

If there is nowhere to lock-up at your favorite destination, you can request that a new rack be installed by the city. 

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sarah D. on April 1, 2013 at 1:16pm

Awesome. 

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on April 1, 2013 at 1:19pm

ha ha, this is hilarious!  

Permalink Reply by daWillinChi on April 1, 2013 at 1:37pm

OMG LOL

Permalink Reply by Nançois on April 1, 2013 at 3:26pm

Well the first one is obviously not a bike rack but a hay rack. You put the hay in the top, and the horses can nibble through the bars throughout the day. Unless they fall onto the loading ramp, and then you've got a lawsuit on yer hands. It's always heartening to see the city accommodating diverse transportation alternatives--way to really Go Green!

Permalink Reply by Melissa on April 1, 2013 at 3:50pm

Nice.  And here I thought those racks were just frisky. 

Whomever guesses the closest location or serves up the best photo caption wins a new Chainlink t-shirt! They're hot. 

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on April 1, 2013 at 4:09pm

and limited in quantity.  Come on people, think!

Melissa said:

Nice.  And here I thought those racks were just frisky. 

Whomever guesses the closest location or serves up the best photo caption wins a new Chainlink t-shirt! They're hot. 

Permalink Reply by Melissa on April 2, 2013 at 9:58am

Hmm...so it seems like this discussion was inadvertently closed to replies for awhile, but in the mean time, we have a winner!  

Congrats to Justin B Newman, who PM'ed me regarding WTF Rack #2: 

I kinda thought that the no parking rack would be at the Chicago Assembly plant. (aka The Ford Plant). A place that just really doesn't want bikes to lock up, and might be willing to make it a joke. But it appears instead to be at 21 E Chestnut. Clearly no Chainlinkers have misbehaved and locked up there.

Enjoy your Chainlink t-shirt, Justin!  And funny you should mention misbehaving.  This, from Jeremy:

Actually, I know the second rack!  It's by the small Loyola parking lot near Chesnut & State.  There's private bike parking for students & staff in the building that looks like a bunker in that lot, but the white paper in the picture is from the last time I put a sticker on the rack saying yes, it is in fact a bike rack.  I stick them on occasionally on the way to get my from the bunker.  Happy April fools!

Nice work, guys.  WTF Rack #1 is still up for guessing grabs.  Here's your hint.  It's at a federal building in the West Loop/University Village. 

Permalink Reply by David P. on April 2, 2013 at 11:54am

Bob saw the rack and thought, "finally, a rack for my tallbike."

Permalink Reply by We all have an inner Beast... on April 2, 2013 at 1:36pm

LOL !----Isn't #1 one of those new and environmentally friendly bike racks, where you hang your bike by the front tire and U-lock it to the blue railing? That way we can fit about 4 times as many bikes in that same spot?

I know that the 2.0 version comes out this summer and has the same set up on the other side as well to give us even more available space for bikes.

And I think I saw the 3.0 & 4.0 version prototypes as well.

3.0 has another one of the "doubles" stacked on top, taking advantage of the "stackability" of them. It has moveable stairs (like at Home Depot) to reach the top rack.

4.0 has 4 of these "double" stacks in an enclosed area, and they roll up and over (like a rotisserrie - sorry if it's spelled wrong, I am too busy trying not to giggle at work) until you get to the rack with your bike on it. You unlock, remove, and close the "garage-style" door.

 

LOL !

 

 

Respectfully,

 

Manny

Permalink Reply by Liz on April 2, 2013 at 2:17pm

I'm going to say its the post office, on Canal & Polk 


Melissa said:

Nice work, guys.  WTF Rack #1 is still up for guessing grabs.  Here's your hint.  It's at a federal building in the West Loop/University Village. 

Permalink Reply by allison on April 2, 2013 at 7:36pm

the first bike rack is at Clinton and Polk, i think it's the back side of a postal building that houses their trucks. (I think googlemaps puts the address at 726 S. Clinton)

Permalink Reply by Melissa on April 4, 2013 at 7:59pm

Nailed it!  It is a US Postal building and thanks - that explains the numerous loading ramps.  And to think that the mail was once delivered by bicycle.  Please message me with your t-shirt size preference and an address at which we can deliver it to you. 


allison said:

the first bike rack is at Clinton and Polk, i think it's the back side of a postal building that houses their trucks. (I think googlemaps puts the address at 726 S. Clinton)

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