Bike Racks?
Thread started by
mechazawa at 10.25.10 - 1:24 am
Is there a place where you think..wait, know should have a bike rack but didn't know how to go about it. There are something you need to know before you recommend
From the LADOT Blog
Asking Alone Won’t Do It
While the LADOT Bike Program wants your input on where to put new bike racks, a suggestion does not immediately translate into a new place to park your bicycle. There are a number of rules and standards that a site must meet before it can handle a bike rack. For instance, the LADOT Bike rack program is only for businesses and only on the public right of way. We can’t install bike racks on private property or in front of homes or apartment buildings. But instead of hoarding all this information for ourselves, we’d like to share it all with you.
Sidewalk Specs
First of all, we need to be sure that a bike rack can fit. Bike racks are classified as “street furniture”, just like parking meters, benches, hydrants, garbage cans, news racks, and light poles. All street furniture must meet Bureau of Engineering (BOE) standards as well as Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. Without a certain amount of clearance to either side of the bike rack, we’re not allowed to install it on the sidewalk. The general rules of thumb are:
* A bike rack must be 18 inches from the curb;
* A bike rack cannot be installed above a storm drain;
* A bike rack must be a minimum of 3 feet from the nearest piece of street furniture(red curbs usually have the least street furniture, and therefore are usually the
easiest place to install bike racks);
* A bike rack can’t be installed on decorative pavement (i.e. bricks, hollywood starts, etc.); and
* A bike rack should be about 3 feet from a curb cut (driveways)
Location is Important
Second, the LADOT Bike Program needs to scout the location to make sure it is optimal and safe for bicyclists. A host of variables must be examined to make sure the site is suitable. What is the street-lighting situation at the site? What is the traffic volume? What is the pedestrian volume? Is there a lot of existing demand for bike parking in the area? The Bike Program would never want to be accused of
making bicycle parking unsafe.
Your suggestions welcome!
Now that we’ve got the nitty-gritty out of the way, where do you think the City needs more bike racks? Let us know and you may seem them pop up in the near future! If you don’t want to clutter the comments section, send your requests to ladotbikeblog@gmail.com or just use the online request form supplied by the LADOT Bike Program.. We’ll keep the blog updated on when and where new installations are taking place.
source:How to get a bike rack
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I hate to play devil's advocate, but at least in the parts of the city I frequent, bicycle parking is not much of a problem. If there's no rack per se' you can usually lock to a meter or something like that. Instead of more racks I think the city should require businesses to have bike parking or to allow bikes inside (safety and space permitting) if they do not have adequate bike parking. To keep from getting jacked, don't lock up your Colnago C-50 with full super record and Zipp wheels in the hood and be street smart! Just today at Coffee Bean I saw a brand new fixie with all the fixin's (Brooks saddle, wasted NJS parts etc.) left unlocked and ready to jack. For shame...
Velocipede11.16.10 - 5:28 pm
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Ridazz Roulette!
