Outdoor Bike Parking / Merchandise Mart

I'm losing my beloved bike room when my company moves over to the merchandise mart. They have some indoor bike spots but they are ~80$ every 3 months (something close to that) which is way to much to me.  My options are so limited its crazy, full on outside or under the "L" on a busy side walk. How many 50 hour weeks outside can a bike really take?

My experience is that long term parking a bike outdoors is a short route to turning your ride into a heap of trash.  Rust can take on to your bike in a couple of days (or less) outdoors. 

I could get a wreck of a 'work ride' but I ride a lot after work when the weather is good, the LFP or some store far away basically as an excuse to ride. So I have to ride a POS from now on? 

RANT-So there is a "commuter benefit" the company offers if you are a public transportation type, they might even have a parking benefit-- but for bikers? NOOOOO, I get to lock my BELOVED (and I do love my ride, and I know this is partly because there is some serotonin / dopamine or what ever release when I am on the thing but I really do love my bike) ride outside in all sorts of weather and it makes me angry. 

Anyway, indoor parking at home but that still leaves my ride outside for many hours in the week and I'm worried that this is just going to fully destroy my ride.  What do I do? Do I lacquer the thing in clear paint? WTF do I do? What is the suggestions on making sure my ride doesn't get wrecked by the seasons.

This room I will miss this room more than I can say, I could leave my helmet unlocked, sometimes I left clothes / shoes (and more) here and no one ever messed with it.  I imagine when no one was around the bikes had tea and compared notes on their owners..........

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Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on February 3, 2014 at 6:06am

Ask your company about Commuter Check. If they are already doing the train/parking thing, it shouldn't be difficult for them to get started with that. Assuming you ride regularly (>= 3 days per week on average), you will get three $20 vouchers every quarter that you can use at many bike shops. That won't completely cover the indoor parking at the new building, but it might bring down the price enough to stomach it.

I feel fortunate to have free indoor parking (Hyatt Center). If I had to park outside, I would actually worry more about theft or vandalism than accelerated aging for a bike parked outdoors, especially if for some reason I couldn't ride home and had to leave my bike overnight.

Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on February 3, 2014 at 7:01am

I'd spring for the parking cost or make sure your renter's insurance covers your bike if it's stolen off your property. 

You could also probably find a nice beater at the winter bike swap. 

Permalink Reply by Ryan Stahlman on February 3, 2014 at 7:20am

Sorry to hear about your parking loss. I am in the same neighborhood and there is a distinct lack of options for indoor parking here. 

I urge you to read your employee benefits forms closely. I use may case as an example. I am taking advantage of the parking pre-tax deferral and using to pay for a space to park my bike. Our form only specifies eligible parking as "parking expenses at or near your work location" and does not specify that this must be for a motor vehicle. 

Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on February 3, 2014 at 7:36am

One option would be a folding bike that you keep under your desk at work.  You'd probably have to have a carrier bag to get it past security.  It works for me at job sites.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on February 3, 2014 at 8:02am

That is a very interesting explanation. I've always thought it was for motor vehicle parking...

Ryan Stahlman said:

Sorry to hear about your parking loss. I am in the same neighborhood and there is a distinct lack of options for indoor parking here. 

I urge you to read your employee benefits forms closely. I use may case as an example. I am taking advantage of the parking pre-tax deferral and using to pay for a space to park my bike. Our form only specifies eligible parking as "parking expenses at or near your work location" and does not specify that this must be for a motor vehicle. 

Permalink Reply by Josh L. on February 3, 2014 at 8:48am

I park at the Mart every day, even through the winter. And that indoor parking is actually a hassle as it's about 15 minutes to reach the storage area, lock your bike, and then get back to the main building.

I would not say that the outdoors will "destroy your ride."  Those unpainted parts that can rust - such as chain, sprockets, gears..will rust if you don't lube/grease them properly.

For me I bought internal gears which reduces the weather impact significantly.  I lube the metal parts every month and just plan on changing the chain every six months.  The painted parts don't seem to be impacted by the weather.

Permalink Reply by Robert Underwood on February 3, 2014 at 10:44am

its nice to hear how much you like your ride.  I'd feel the same way about locking my bike out their.  I had my front tire stolen at the Merch years ago.  I was only inside for 10 minutes.  Where I work there is a parking garage that has a bike rack on its upper level.  anyone can access it but its hidden from plain sight and its covered.  maybe you could find a nearby parking garage that has something similar...  too bad you loose that sweet parking room in the picture.  if I had to park my ride outside on the side walk I'd have to start riding a POS... too much time and money invested in the one I park in the garage. 

Permalink Reply by John on February 3, 2014 at 1:06pm

Glad to hear you ride to work and love your bike!  I commuted by bike to\from the Mart for about 2 years, and the loop for years before then. The indoor parking at the Mart was a hassle, but only because management of it being shifted from the building management to the parking garage across the street.  They had no clue about how it worked, so I locked up outdoors.

My favorite place to lock up was across the street from the East Bank Club on Kingsbury.  Lots of racks, spaces always available, and a high bike/pedestrian traffic area, so I felt better about security.  To back that up, I used two locks (rear wheel-frame-rack and front wheel- frame) and washed lubed my bike about once a month.  Never had anything stolen or parts degraded by the weather.  Riding year round teaches you what is needed.  I did use a saddle cover or CVS bag to protect and hide my saddle.

Since you love your bike, you probably give it sufficient care to commute with it.  I don' t think locking up by the Mart is inherently more risky than other locations.  Whatever caution and effort you use anyway will probably be enough.

Have fun!

Permalink Reply by Jaik S. on February 3, 2014 at 4:50pm

I heard the parking in the Mart was around $125 a year...Maybe I'm mistaken.

I know that the building next to the Mart(Sun-Times) has a new bike room, but I'm not sure how they allocate for neighborhood businesses.

Also, on the back side(Kinzie & Kingsbury) just below the Sun-Times building, there's a loading dock. They have two full size bike racks there that will keep your ride covered. There are some cameras, but I wouldn't rely on them for immediate security. If you don't feel like walking outside, you can actually walk through the loading area to the freight elevators, take those to the second floor, and walk across the bridge to the Mart.

Permalink Reply by BootsyC on February 4, 2014 at 11:54am

Our transit forms, also, do not stipulate that it must be used for a motor vehicle.  I even called them to ask and the woman said, "as long as you're using it for parking, it doesn't matter."  But check your forms, or call to clarify for your plan.

Ryan Stahlman said:

Sorry to hear about your parking loss. I am in the same neighborhood and there is a distinct lack of options for indoor parking here. 

I urge you to read your employee benefits forms closely. I use may case as an example. I am taking advantage of the parking pre-tax deferral and using to pay for a space to park my bike. Our form only specifies eligible parking as "parking expenses at or near your work location" and does not specify that this must be for a motor vehicle. 

Permalink Reply by Ryan Stahlman on February 4, 2014 at 12:53pm

I'm curious about the Mart parking... Is it available for surrounding businesses or only those within the Mart itself? 

Permalink Reply by Josh L. on February 5, 2014 at 3:04am

To my knowledge you have to be in a business in the Mart to use the spaces.

Also the Mart provides me with a locker and shower in the employee locker room in the basement of the building.  Not sure I would ever use the showers as  I've never seen anyone use them but the locker is great for changing clothes and drying off after the ride.  My understanding is that  a changing place for bikers was a requirement for the Mart's Leed certification.  The guy who oversees the locker room was extremely helpful and seemed to be glad I was using  it. TO my knowledge I am the only biker doing so.  Haddon you can reach out to me if you want more info on this.

The $125 a year for the parking is about right. Again I dont' find it worth it given the hassle. You have to walk your bike over the cobblestone floor in the lower parking lot, enter a locked cage, lock your bike, walk  to the entrance. At least  another  7-8 minutes vs parking outside. For me the time matters. :)

As somebody wrote above, I'm not sure the Mart is any different than any other location in terms of  risk. My own experience is good and bad.  The one day last year I used a chain lock my bike got stolen.  So the chain cutting types hit the Mart..as they do tI assume.  .  I have had  no issues of vandalism. Probably 50% of the time I lock the second wheel and I"ve had no wheels taken or vandalism. I also know a half dozen other guys who bike and they report no issues with stolen wheels, etc.  

btw I know of a secret "covered" spot near the Mart - in front of a highly trafficked business - I can clue you in on if you keep it on the down low. There's only room for two bikes. Reach out to me if you want the info.:)

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