Comments on: SOPO Bike Rack Option

By: Fred Boykin

Fred Boykin — Fri, 28 May 2010 16:05:38 +0000

Nice to see the comments about solutions to the bike parking “problem” in Lower Decatur. Great work that SOPO is doing to get bike racks out in the metro area. I echo Byron’s points and would stress that whatever racks are installed, they meet the City code. The racks specified are the inverted U type racks and are the size dimensions recommended by the Association of Bicycle & Pedestrian Professionals (APBP). This size rack supports the bicycle frame well, provides ample places to lock the frame with a U-lock and fits bikes loaded down with racks, baskets, bags, etc.

By: Faceman

Faceman — Fri, 28 May 2010 11:16:20 +0000

To Byron’s point we (SoPo) do have both types of racks available, recylcled bike frame racks and the round tubing. Just let us know which one you would like. Decatur is a perfect city to ride bikes.

By: Byron

Byron — Thu, 27 May 2010 22:20:57 +0000

I don’t know about placement on grass. Frequent foot traffic will turn the grass into dirt (or mud) pretty quickly. Getting it on a concrete or asphalt would certainly make long-term maintenance less of an issue.

By: Byron

Byron — Thu, 27 May 2010 22:18:51 +0000

True, even if snarky. The racks should be placed will outside the pedestrian walkway, especially where a rear wheel might inadvertently intrude into the sidewalk.

From the Association of Pedestrian & Bicycle Professionals’ “Bicycle Parking Guidelines”: “An empty rack should not create a tripping hazard for visually impaired individuals.” (pg 3). See that manual for additional placement guidelines.

By: Byron

Byron — Thu, 27 May 2010 22:16:25 +0000

A few thoughts: don’t get the recycled bike frame racks, bike frame walls are only about 0.02″ thick and easily cut by a hacksaw. Racks should have sturdy, thick walled tubing (as pictured in the SOPO ad). Placement on grass needs to be thought through since frequenty foot and tire traffic will wear the grass to dirt very quickly.

The City of Decatur and Association of Bicycle & Pedestrian professionals have both published bicycle parking guidelines. They set out placement and clearance dimensions to make sure that the racks are useful. The racks should not be placed in the pedestrian walkway while still be in a location clearly seen from whatever businesses the rack is serving.

By: taxus

taxus — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:55:27 +0000

What we need are sharp-cornered, crotch-level sidewalk protrusions to give pedestrians another reason to be safe in their cars while going from place to place.

By: Bulldog

Bulldog — Thu, 27 May 2010 15:10:32 +0000

Watch out for skateboarders…

By: Decatur Metro

Decatur Metro — Thu, 27 May 2010 14:50:27 +0000

Awesome Chadwick! Let me know if you need anything else from me on this and certainly keep us up-to-date on progress.