What's in a bike rack?

A friend of mine makes steel sculpture. She does not ride a bike in the city, but thought I might be a good person to ask, "What makes a bike rack good?" My first thought was wishing there were more installed throughout the city. Then she talked about doing just that, possibly in a creative way. She communicated this to a few aldermen and got a positive response from the 1st Ward Alderman, Manny Flores. He Represents the Wickerpark/Bucktown area and seems to be happy to work on getting some installed in his ward and having my friend and possibly myself constructing some unique racks in needed areas. We brainstormed some ideas and even picked the brains of some cyclists not using the chainlink. I thought I would help her gather some ideas from our chainlink community. So, I'm wondering what your thoughts are. How could we improve a bike rack, both functionally and creatively?

Views: 230

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by A.K.A Paul on January 15, 2010 at 1:36pm
Simplicity.
Permalink Reply by Cullen Carter on January 16, 2010 at 4:28am
As a disabled TRIcyclist, I'd say it's important that the rack has the ability to secure different types of bikes.

Regards,
Cullen Carter
Appleton, WI
Permalink Reply by RodimusPrime on January 16, 2010 at 4:48am
u know a good example of a rack i hate. . is the one at performance on halstead.
Permalink Reply by Eric R on January 16, 2010 at 8:21am
RodimusPrime said:
u know a good example of a rack i hate. . is the one at performance on halstead.

Indeed. It basically allows for one wheel to be locked, not even the frame.

I personally prefer the idea of the old parking meters with a ring bolted to them, though the "ring" could be different shapes, designs, etc. It is easier to use a mini-lock to get the wheel and frame secured. Though I imagine all of those parking meter poles are long gone.
Permalink Reply by Jim "Niterider" on January 16, 2010 at 11:52pm
A rack that can hold both the front and back wheels at the same time allowing you to lock both wheels with out having to take them off the bike. Similar to a roof rack minus the car. Also something that can hold a tire that is between 3-6" wide. Surley Endomorph tires are fat making it a pain to lock up. Same with larger crusier tires. Those would be a some needed improvments around the city.
Permalink Reply by chixieonfixie on January 17, 2010 at 5:36am
I have collected pictures of bike racks for a while and these are some of my favorites (Im not promising they are necessarily the most utilitarian or practical, but certainly fun). Let me know if you want me to email you some more pics if you are interested.

Permalink Reply by chixieonfixie on January 18, 2010 at 6:15pm
Sure, coming right up
Permalink Reply by chixieonfixie on January 18, 2010 at 6:19pm


chixieonfixie said:
This is a cool collection idea-- whatcha' waiting for-- post some more :-)
Permalink Reply by Duppie on January 19, 2010 at 5:00am
There are reasons why the standard issue City of Chicago bike rack look the way it does. It is functional, sturdy and (relatively) cheap

I’ll readily admit that the bike racks Chixie posted look pretty darn cute, but I think that most of them are a step backwards from the standard design, either functionally, costwise, or they are less sturdy. In a time where city budgets are under stress, I’d rather get more standard racks than fewer nicely designed ones. Unless of course an alderman has access to funds that otherwise would not be spent on bike related improvements, like funds that are used to improve creative programs in a ward. These funds could be used to subsidize the cost of the rack. (Not sure if those funds even exist).
Permalink Reply by chixieonfixie on January 19, 2010 at 5:41pm
I agree with you wholeheartedly that these are not necessarily functional and I would have deep reservations about using some of them. However, by far they are not the most useless designs I can conjure. One look no further then David Byrne's designs for the ultimate in functional dubiousness:


Duppie said:
There are reasons why the standard issue City of Chicago bike rack look the way it does. It is functional, sturdy and (relatively) cheap

I’ll readily admit that the bike racks Chixie posted look pretty darn cute, but I think that most of them are a step backwards from the standard design, either functionally, costwise, or they are less sturdy. In a time where city budgets are under stress, I’d rather get more standard racks than fewer nicely designed ones. Unless of course an alderman has access to funds that otherwise would not be spent on bike related improvements, like funds that are used to improve creative programs in a ward. These funds could be used to subsidize the cost of the rack. (Not sure if those funds even exist).
Permalink Reply by Chris B on January 20, 2010 at 4:06am
The first link is from some city who was considering the same thing: what makes a good rack, they came up with a short list of criteria

Support bicycle frame in at least two points for good stability
Allow locking with a choice of either a cable lock or a U-lock
Reasonably durable
Aesthetic

To that I would add "square tubing" as pointed out already. And some more obvious ones like bolted to the ground in the same manner the U racks are here. And of course anything following my two favorite expressions "form follows function" by Sullivan, and "form follows failure" by Petroski. :)

http://home.swbell.net/mpion/BIKEparking.html

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?392836-What-is-the-best-bi...

http://weekendcycling.com/2007/01/interesting-bike-racks/
Permalink Reply by chixieonfixie on January 20, 2010 at 5:24pm
You forgot chains. In the city if you're using a cable lock you..well..wind up getting your bike stolen (a la Peter Sagal's shiny black Felt in October of last year). If I cant get my New York Fahgettaboudit around a bike rack I keep riding til I find a better place.

Chris B said:
The first link is from some city who was considering the same thing: what makes a good rack, they came up with a short list of criteria

Support bicycle frame in at least two points for good stability
Allow locking with a choice of either a cable lock or a U-lock
Reasonably durable
Aesthetic

To that I would add "square tubing" as pointed out already. And some more obvious ones like bolted to the ground in the same manner the U racks are here. And of course anything following my two favorite expressions "form follows function" by Sullivan, and "form follows failure" by Petroski. :)

http://home.swbell.net/mpion/BIKEparking.html

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?392836-What-is-the-best-bi...

http://weekendcycling.com/2007/01/interesting-bike-racks/

RSS

Groups

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

Disclaimer  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service