Let's consider some other aspects to this placement. First, how many days does it rain in Dallas? If it's at all like Oklahoma, a roof over the bike rack isn't strictly necessary. Most traffic to the library will be fair-weather only, so rain protection isn't a big consideration. Sun protection is another thing, but again, most of the bikes on this rack will be short term, not all day as a commuter's would be. And just like the rest of us, the library has to make choices in how to spend their limited monies. Given a choice between new books, computers, or an occasionally needed roof, I'd take the computers or books.
Ed, the architects don't impact the books and computers. Placing bike racks under cover (in this case) wouldn't have cost a penny more.
Dallas gets 33" of rain annually (the same as Portland and Seattle... but in far fewer days). Cyclists (even kids) don't normally leave their bicycles exposed at all times. Covered parking for an exposed vehicle is more than simply a good idea, it's important to cyclists.
When architects realize how little it takes to truly accommodate cyclists, and not just do it check off a box on the LEED form, we'll be making progress.
That parking isn't necessarily "short term". There is no covered employee parking, and it's illegal to bring an "assembled bicycle" into a city-owned building, so that's staff bicycle parking, too.
The general mindset for bike parking remains rooted in dish-racks at elementary schools.
Compared the the artistic bike poles at my library, yours would be heaven. Of course, the BEST parking at my library is to the rail next to the "no bikes" sign. Since I can't actually SEE the sign, I'm sure it was intended for the use of cyclists who don't want to lose their bikes when someone unbolts the bike pole. If I were staff at your library, I'd cut a quiet deal with the head or else lock it to one of those very stout roof braces. I may not be as dramatically antisocial as some annoying cyclists, but I can dish it out effectively when it means my fingers don't get burned after my loyal steed's been sitting out in 110F sun for hours.
Do they claim LEED certification? I'd suspect the bike racks are there because of a city code requirement or city policy for bike racks at public buildings, and wave racks seem to be the default for almost everybody unless somebody puts some effort into calling attention to this. The time to do this was during the open houses or public hearings or city council meetings when the library design was announced.
Por Ejample: The now defunct Wild Oats Market corporate design standard called for wave racks. In 2005, I met with Wild Oats Market architecture director and convinced him to change their corporate standards on bike parking for U racks. (Sadly, when Wild Oats was absorbed by Whole Foods in 2007, the better bike parking standard wasn't adopted by Whole Foods: their corporate standard is wave racks for all new stores, and their HQ staff is much more difficult to contact than Wild Oats was.)
But that reminds me: my town is building a new library and just put out the construction RFQ.
"I'd suspect the bike racks are there because of a city code requirement or city policy for bike racks at public buildings, and wave racks seem to be the default for almost everybody unless somebody puts some effort into calling attention to this."
The City only calls for LEED Certification of new City Buildings. LEED requires "bike parking".
Too bad about Wild Oats. I've argued with Whole Foods about bike rack design a couple of times (even pointing out that customers were locking bikes to guard-rails instead of the wave rack). My complaints about a new store near me were addressed in terms of placement, but not rack design, where the architect spec'd a cool-looking wheel bender rack, and they stayed with it (but at least they moved it from a street edge location to the front of the store).
I found Whole Foods corporate folks to be difficult to address on this matter, as they feel they know what's best because "we're in Austin" (national capitol of crap bike facilities).
10 comments:
Let's consider some other aspects to this placement. First, how many days does it rain in Dallas? If it's at all like Oklahoma, a roof over the bike rack isn't strictly necessary. Most traffic to the library will be fair-weather only, so rain protection isn't a big consideration. Sun protection is another thing, but again, most of the bikes on this rack will be short term, not all day as a commuter's would be. And just like the rest of us, the library has to make choices in how to spend their limited monies. Given a choice between new books, computers, or an occasionally needed roof, I'd take the computers or books.
Ed, the architects don't impact the books and computers. Placing bike racks under cover (in this case) wouldn't have cost a penny more.
Dallas gets 33" of rain annually (the same as Portland and Seattle... but in far fewer days). Cyclists (even kids) don't normally leave their bicycles exposed at all times. Covered parking for an exposed vehicle is more than simply a good idea, it's important to cyclists.
When architects realize how little it takes to truly accommodate cyclists, and not just do it check off a box on the LEED form, we'll be making progress.
That parking isn't necessarily "short term". There is no covered employee parking, and it's illegal to bring an "assembled bicycle" into a city-owned building, so that's staff bicycle parking, too.
The general mindset for bike parking remains rooted in dish-racks at elementary schools.
Compared the the artistic bike poles at my library, yours would be heaven. Of course, the BEST parking at my library is to the rail next to the "no bikes" sign. Since I can't actually SEE the sign, I'm sure it was intended for the use of cyclists who don't want to lose their bikes when someone unbolts the bike pole. If I were staff at your library, I'd cut a quiet deal with the head or else lock it to one of those very stout roof braces. I may not be as dramatically antisocial as some annoying cyclists, but I can dish it out effectively when it means my fingers don't get burned after my loyal steed's been sitting out in 110F sun for hours.
Yeah, Steve. I I.D.'d those struts too.
Had some fun walking the Birdy through Home Depot today... "Just think of it as a shopping cart."
;-)
Architects, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS, pick the pretty ones. They generally don't get to work with roofs.
danc said...
"Architects, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS, pick the pretty ones."
Yep, that's why the wave-rack is so popular. There are worse designs.
Do they claim LEED certification? I'd suspect the bike racks are there because of a city code requirement or city policy for bike racks at public buildings, and wave racks seem to be the default for almost everybody unless somebody puts some effort into calling attention to this. The time to do this was during the open houses or public hearings or city council meetings when the library design was announced.
Por Ejample: The now defunct Wild Oats Market corporate design standard called for wave racks. In 2005, I met with Wild Oats Market architecture director and convinced him to change their corporate standards on bike parking for U racks. (Sadly, when Wild Oats was absorbed by Whole Foods in 2007, the better bike parking standard wasn't adopted by Whole Foods: their corporate standard is wave racks for all new stores, and their HQ staff is much more difficult to contact than Wild Oats was.)
But that reminds me: my town is building a new library and just put out the construction RFQ.
Yokota Fritz said...
"Do they claim LEED certification?"
Yes.
"I'd suspect the bike racks are there because of a city code requirement or city policy for bike racks at public buildings, and wave racks seem to be the default for almost everybody unless somebody puts some effort into calling attention to this."
The City only calls for LEED Certification of new City Buildings. LEED requires "bike parking".
Too bad about Wild Oats. I've argued with Whole Foods about bike rack design a couple of times (even pointing out that customers were locking bikes to guard-rails instead of the wave rack). My complaints about a new store near me were addressed in terms of placement, but not rack design, where the architect spec'd a cool-looking wheel bender rack, and they stayed with it (but at least they moved it from a street edge location to the front of the store).
I found Whole Foods corporate folks to be difficult to address on this matter, as they feel they know what's best because "we're in Austin" (national capitol of crap bike facilities).
"Architects, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS, pick the pretty ones."
"Yep, that's why the wave-rack is so popular."
The wave rack isn't meant to be used as a bike rack; it's meant as abstract art. Locking a bike to it ruins the lines. ;-)
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