Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by O on July 14, 2012 at 3:30pm

mores |ˈmôrˌāz|

pluralnoun

the essential or characteristic customs and conventions of acommunity: an offense against social mores.

ORIGIN late 19th cent.: from Latin, plural of mos, mor-‘custom.’

I agree that bicycle operators should follow the Rules of the Road. But I don't know if I consider their behavior in adhering to those laws a "social more". It seems that a fair number of folks are simply willing to toss out these laws and I guess invite havoc. I am not of that ilk. The sooner that motorists and cyclists reach a mutual understanding of their rights and responsibilities as defined by law the better. At any rate, thanks for your observation. 

Steven Vance said:

I don't think bicycle operators should be sharing the road with automobile operators except on roads where the design and laws demand automobiles be driven at or less than the speed of bicycles. 

 

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Permalink Reply by O on July 14, 2012 at 3:40pm

Agreed. My direct experience is limited to the bicycle parking along Van Buren between Jackson and Clinton. There is parking under the eave of the building on the north side of the street (where the Starbucks is located). It looks to be pretty much full now. On the street (both sides) the local buildings have contracted with a company to sell parking locations to motorcyclists.

If that population were to reach the kind of growth potential Gabe is predicting for cyclists there would like not be enough spots on the streets for all the motorcycles (despite the fact that they angle in to park) and certainly no automobiles could be accommodated alongside the motorcycles.

The Willis Tower has parking to the south of the building and I believe it requires a monthly fee. It is outdoors so there is no protection provided for the bikes. If more people are to be accommodated in the cycling community I would expect that their expectations would be high enough that buildings would be coaxed into offering indoor parking for those using bicycles.

But how safe and convenient that sort of parking would be if provided today I have no idea. I am guessing that as with most "sea changes" employers are going to be caught off guard until something resembling a ready-made and proven solution is offered.

Those lockable storage containers that appear along the Metra lines here in the suburbs seem a very inviting idea.

Anne Alt said:

We need more bike stations.

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on July 15, 2012 at 12:23am

If enough Loop office workers ask their bosses and the property management office for secure indoor bike space, it greatly improves the chances of getting it.  I've worked in 2 different buildings in the Loop that added indoor bike rooms (locked rooms with keys provided only to those who registered with building management) after strong tenant demand.  I know of other buildings that have responded similarly.  My current office building also has a bike room.

At my previous offices, one bike room was a locked room accessed from the parking garage and the other was created from vacant space on the 5th floor, accessible by freight elevator from the loading dock after signing in with building security and swiping a keycard on the bike room door.

If the building where you work does not have a bike room,  they need to know that there's a demand, so they need to hear from you.  Do you know other cyclists in the building?  Tell them the same thing.  Make that demand known, so building management recognizes that there's a real need.

O said:

Agreed. My direct experience is limited to the bicycle parking along Van Buren between Jackson and Clinton. There is parking under the eave of the building on the north side of the street (where the Starbucks is located). It looks to be pretty much full now. On the street (both sides) the local buildings have contracted with a company to sell parking locations to motorcyclists.

If that population were to reach the kind of growth potential Gabe is predicting for cyclists there would like not be enough spots on the streets for all the motorcycles (despite the fact that they angle in to park) and certainly no automobiles could be accommodated alongside the motorcycles.

The Willis Tower has parking to the south of the building and I believe it requires a monthly fee. It is outdoors so there is no protection provided for the bikes. If more people are to be accommodated in the cycling community I would expect that their expectations would be high enough that buildings would be coaxed into offering indoor parking for those using bicycles.

But how safe and convenient that sort of parking would be if provided today I have no idea. I am guessing that as with most "sea changes" employers are going to be caught off guard until something resembling a ready-made and proven solution is offered.

Those lockable storage containers that appear along the Metra lines here in the suburbs seem a very inviting idea.

Anne Alt said:

We need more bike stations.

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Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on July 15, 2012 at 7:17am

Exiting times ahead for cyclist to motorist and cyclist to cyclist drama.

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Permalink Reply by Steven Vance on July 17, 2012 at 7:06am

Speaking of bike rooms in buildings, I'm still collecting photos and info from people for an upcoming article. I've only had three submissions. 

Anne Alt said:

If enough Loop office workers ask their bosses and the property management office for secure indoor bike space, it greatly improves the chances of getting it.  I've worked in 2 different buildings in the Loop that added indoor bike rooms (locked rooms with keys provided only to those who registered with building management) after strong tenant demand.  I know of other buildings that have responded similarly.  My current office building also has a bike room.

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