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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).
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/
If I cant get my New York Fahgettaboudit around a bike rack I keep riding til I find a better place.
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