I’ve noticed some concerning regression in my community these past few months: the removal of bike racks.
One school removed their racks just before kids returned to school this September. The result? Bikes are now chained to fences near the local park.
Yesterday, while picking up a few grocery items, I noticed that the bike rack that’s usually in front of the store was gone. No other rack was provided elsewhere.
Last year, my city removed numerous bike racks along a street that ironically has the only protected bike lanes.
All of these locations are busy with cycling traffic, so the need has always been there for these racks.
I’ve reached out to all these places with no reply, so I have no idea what’s going on, but I’m curious if this has been happening elsewhere.
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Any update?
Glad you asked!
One school removed their racks just before kids returned to school this September. The result? Bikes are now chained to fences near the local park.
The school has NOT replaced the bike racks they removed.
Yesterday, while picking up a few grocery items, I noticed that the bike rack that’s usually in front of the store was gone. No other rack was provided elsewhere.
This store has NOT replaced the bike racks they removed. When I did finally take my bike into the store, security and management stopped me and asked me to take it outside. When I pointed out that I would, but the bike rack was removed, they asked me to basically chain it up where the shopping carts are docked outside… in the way of people trying to walk in front of the store.
Last year, my city removed numerous bike racks along a street that ironically has the only protected bike lanes.
They added bike parking on a totally different street, which I had commented is nonsensical. The street they removed them from has the only buffered protected bike lanes in the city. The area they moved them to doesn’t have any bike lanes; they are now on a one-way street; and they put the parking on the wrong side of the road, so you’d have to cross all the lanes of the one-way to get to the side that has the bike parking.
Extremely frustrating situation. I did connect with a local advocacy group, so perhaps they’ll nudge someone who has control of all this.
Well that sucks.
It does, but there’s always more to be done, and I haven’t given up on advocating for better infrastructure and bike parking.
Time to get involved with your city’s planning process?
Already do. I go to every in-person meeting they offer for public feedback, and I make sure that I’m in contact with our Active Transportation Committee, development people, and have contacted council members.
Could you imagine these places removing car parking with no alternative offered? Seems crazy to remove a bike rack BEFORE installing a new one, if replacing them the goal.
Was there any cause or reason for the removal?
I wouldn’t know because I received no response (pending for the grocery store, since I submitted a complaint just yesterday).
SLPT: If you’ve got a chain lock, you can lock your bike to any car wheel!