Here's a rare instance of the ubiquitous "ribbon rack" bike-rack properly placed to fully achieve it's rated capacity (unlike here). To minimize pedestrian conflicts, I would prefer to see these racks mounted perpendicular to the building face, but at least this way you can approach the racks from both sides.
Not perfect, but better.
Edit: Seen below is a utilitarian cyclist who has just arrived, locking his bike to the picnic table.
10 comments:
I'd rather have U-racks. Or use the ribbon racks as U-racks (which will work in this case).
And I'd rather they be right at the entrance to the building, not off to the side/back as these appear to be.
Michael Graff said...
"I'd rather have U-racks. Or use the ribbon racks as U-racks (which will work in this case).
"And I'd rather they be right at the entrance to the building, not off to the side/back as these appear to be."
I agree, the inverted U is the best rack out there, but so difficult to get architects to spec. I too like to use wave-racks like a U-rack, reducing the capacity to two bikes.
These racks are right at the building entrance (well, one of them is). Oddly, a moment later a utilitarian cyclist came up and locked his bike to the picnic table at the end of the building facade.
And then there's me - whose bike is named "Buddy" for a reason. Locks, we don' need no steenkin locks!
Hey PM!
Would you like a photo showing how three Ohio LCI's use a ribbon rack? As you might guess, it was not the way the rack was intended.
The rack is at the Ohio DOT building in Columbus. Photo is 3 Mb (but I can reduce it).
--- Fred
Fred!
You bet! Send it to pmsummer at gmail dot com. 3Mb is fine.
Are you stalking me? :) I just made use of one of those very racks on Saturday. (In the two bike, parallel, configuration of course.)
I'm still not sure how you are expected to use those racks to their full capacity. Maybe they are mostly intended for kid's bikes? If the top of your saddle is 32in or less off the ground, it should be easy.
But look at this photo from their website: http://www.ribbonrack.com/photo2.jpg
That bike all the way on the left, how did they get it in there? The saddle is clearly higher than the rack and the it certainly won't go in handlebars first.
Oh well. Bike rack overcrowding is not really a problem we have to deal with much around here.
stu42j said...
"I'm still not sure how you are expected to use those racks to their full capacity. Maybe they are mostly intended for kid's bikes? If the top of your saddle is 32in or less off the ground, it should be easy.
But look at this photo from their website: http://www.ribbonrack.com/photo2.jpg
That bike all the way on the left, how did they get it in there? The saddle is clearly higher than the rack and the it certainly won't go in handlebars first."
That's why it's important to be able to approach the rack from BOTH directions. It's the only way to even approach stated capacity. Architects are using them to help buildings achieve coveted LEEDS certification. The ineffectualness of the racks might make one question the effectiveness of the rest of the LEEDS program, as well.
My favorite rack remains the "Sheffield rack", followed by the inverted U-rack. In the attempted bicycle parking requirements I worked on, wave-racks only counted for holding two bicycles (not 5 to 8), because the first cyclist there might use half of it for his/her bicycle (and would, if they really cared about their bicycle).
@Stuart inquired:
"That bike all the way on the left, how did they get it in there?"
Close inspection of that image will reveal that the seat post is visible in front of the ribbon arch at top. The bike was backed-in to that slot and a cable lock used to secure it.
I use a rack similar to this every day, but with five arches. At the height of summer commuting, we can usually fit eight bikes (seven in image) without crowding. It would probably accommodate ten to twelve with a creative configuration.
OK, I see what you are saying. The manufacturer claims 11 bikes for that rack so I guess they are not so far off.
stu42j said...
"OK, I see what you are saying. The manufacturer claims 11 bikes for that rack so I guess they are not so far off."
Each hoop (open at top or bottom) holds one bike, and a bike fits on either end, so what I call an "M-rack" (as shown at REI) will "hold" five bikes. In theory, a "U-rack" can hold three bicycles, but it can only properly support two bikes (properly support means two contacts points along the bicycle frame).
Question to Yakota Fritz: Are you seeing students preferring to use old dish-racks (wheel-benders) because they can lift the front wheel over the top rail and get a good locking place for a U-lock? I've seen students at some universities ignore a wave-rack and use the dish-rack for that purpose.
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