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Racked with Frustration...

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Racked with Frustration...

Old 10-16-19, 08:42 AM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by livedarklions
My observations are that a fairly large number of the people who work in such places ride their bikes to work if they have a place to put them. From what I've seen in New England, there are almost never any bike racks at a Walmart location regardless of whether they're located where people actually ride. I don't know if there's an area inside where the workers can secure their bikes, however.

The lack of bike racks is such an obvious pattern here that I suspect they actually want to discourage bicyclists from riding through their parking lot, possibly for liability reasons.
You could very well be right, on all accounts. I live in a bit of bubble being in a small town. But for the stuff they built up on the state route, there isn't anyplace you can't go by walking or riding a bike, but people don't. Heck, here in town you don't even have to lock a bike. In larger cities/areas where a car is darn near a liability when you have to put it someplace, I can see some folks opting to ride a bike. Back when I worked up in Dayton I was on the local advocacy committee as well as the board of the League of American Wheelmen. We were instrumental in getting bike lockers placed around the downtown area for people to use when they commuted by bike (they locked and you took the key with you). They sat empty except for the homeless people who camped in them at night.

A survey we put out to the local cycling community/downtown workers indicated people weren't motivated to brave riding in dense traffic because of a nice place to park their bikes. Believe it or not, the survey indicated they would more likely be willing to commute if they had a place to shower/freshen up. Somewhere to put the bike came in dead last.

As I said, I live in a small town and Dayton at the time was 190,000 people at best so I don't know that it's a fair comparison to real urban areas. Around here, everyone knows me and why I ride a bike; anyone else riding a bike for transportation is assumed to be on a DUI suspension, a criminal or indigent. Sad to say, but it's the truth.

Last edited by nomadmax; 10-16-19 at 08:48 AM.
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Old 10-16-19, 09:01 AM
  #27  
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I'm impressed you found three Walmarts with racks. I confess that the vast majority of times I've ridden to Walmarts have been in New Hampshire, and I've had to get very creative with finding places to lock the bike. It might be my imagination, but I also seem to get a lot of stares of surprise when I'm riding through the parking lot and/or walking in the store with my helmet.
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Old 10-16-19, 09:03 AM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by nomadmax
In their defense, at least around here anyway, people use motor vehicles a wheel chairs (ironically, the practice usually creates an inability to do anything physical later in life). At the Wal-Marts, grocery stores and mega-sale places around here there's only a slightly better chance someone would arrive on a bicycle and need a parking spot than a guy riding a llama would. I just don't buy into the idea that if there are more bike racks where people want to go, they'll choose to ride instead of drive.

I've been involved in the bicycle advocacy biz and appreciate anyone who fights the good fight to make things better for cyclists. But.......if you don't recognize that cyclists are a small minority and you're always going uphill and into the wind, you're fooling yourself.

I saw this the other day, many people in the USA feel this way about cyclists but don't ever talk about it.

So do empty parking spots in the Walmart lot mean those many more people are not being served?

Frankly, someday, I'd love to see an ad that says...

"Is your surgeon a second class citizen? "
"Is your local cop a second class citizen?"
"Is your local teacher a second class citizen?
"Is your neighbor a second class citizen?"

Then each rides by on a bicycle...

"Why treat these folks as second class road users, when they have the same rights to the road as you, and pay for the local roads, just like you."

SHARE THE ROAD
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Old 10-16-19, 09:12 AM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by DrIsotope
For every element that makes Boston ≠ Amsterdam, quadruple that and you will begin to understand why SoCal ≠ everywhere else.

The reason(s) people aren't biking to the CU (or anywhere, for that matter) in SoCal has nothing to do with the lack of bicycle racks.
I bike commuted for 35 years in SoCal... San Diego, specifically. The thing that made it work was a safe place to put my bike, and showers at the office. Every office in which I worked had "workout facilities," and thus a shower.

So don't tell me SoCal can't or won't support cycling like "Boston."

Oddly, my local Home Depot (on Genesee) took out their bike rack, after moving it around a bit, and finally just removing it. They have loads of displays out front for folks to trip over, and plenty of car parking... good luck with a safe handy place for your bike though.
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Old 10-16-19, 10:48 AM
  #30  
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About a year ago the City of Toronto with support from a local advocacy group launched the BikeSpace App. This app allows cyclists to report locations in need of bicycle racks and where damaged racks need repair.

Response is not automatic as it is primary data collector for city planners and property developers to meet the needs of their community.

Kudos to Toronto as bike lanes, sharrows and infrastructure are not perfect but there is a real effort in place to address a growing cycling population and the need to get people out of their cars.
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Old 10-16-19, 12:25 PM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by Daniel4
About a year ago the City of Toronto with support from a local advocacy group launched the BikeSpace App. This app allows cyclists to report locations in need of bicycle racks and where damaged racks need repair.

Response is not automatic as it is primary data collector for city planners and property developers to meet the needs of their community.

Kudos to Toronto as bike lanes, sharrows and infrastructure are not perfect but there is a real effort in place to address a growing cycling population and the need to get people out of their cars.
Is it really about "getting people out of cars?" Or is it more about putting cycling on a level playing field, as a mode of transportation.

So much infrastructure now FAVORS the automobile, and in some cases makes walking or cycling a difficult prospect.

Simple things like bike racks, sidewalks on bridges, bike paths where there are now only freeways... and complete streets... all these serve to put cycling, and even walking, on the same level as driving.
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Old 10-17-19, 09:34 AM
  #32  
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Originally Posted by genec
Is it really about "getting people out of cars?" Or is it more about putting cycling on a level playing field, as a mode of transportation.

So much infrastructure now FAVORS the automobile, and in some cases makes walking or cycling a difficult prospect.

Simple things like bike racks, sidewalks on bridges, bike paths where there are now only freeways... and complete streets... all these serve to put cycling, and even walking, on the same level as driving.
Could be all of those. I've certainly got out my car when I found a safe route to ride to work. And many downtown streets have found increases of many hundreds of percent of ridership with the installation of protected bike lanes without the decrease of public transit users. And with increased cycling ridership comes the increased demand for other things to support cycling, like bike racks, bike lockers and public bicycle service stations.
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Old 10-18-19, 07:05 AM
  #33  
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Stopped by a different Walmart on the way to work yesterday...parked in their bike rack.

Haven't heard back from the credit union...not even a robo-response to my online submission.

Since my office provides a minor professional service for them, I don't think I'll push it or raise a stink at this time.
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Old 10-18-19, 09:36 AM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by BobbyG
Stopped by a different Walmart on the way to work yesterday...parked in their bike rack.

Haven't heard back from the credit union...not even a robo-response to my online submission.

Since my office provides a minor professional service for them, I don't think I'll push it or raise a stink at this time.
I am now convinced that I'm just having bad luck in my choice of Walmarts. I always seem to get the rackless ones.
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Old 10-18-19, 10:16 AM
  #35  
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Originally Posted by livedarklions
I am now convinced that I'm just having bad luck in my choice of Walmarts. I always seem to get the rackless ones.
There's always another one just down the road
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Old 10-18-19, 10:21 AM
  #36  
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Originally Posted by nomadmax
There's always another one just down the road
With a bathroom and water fountain.

Their main function for me now is as a pit stop when I'm riding in the boonies.
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Old 10-18-19, 11:32 AM
  #37  
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Originally Posted by DrIsotope
Every time I go to my credit union, I just take my bike inside. Every time I go anywhere, I just take my bike inside. My credit union doesn't have a rack outside, and I'm glad of it-- because then someone would surely say, as I'm wheeling my bike into the branch, "there's a rack for you outside." Well, if they want to go and stand guard over my bike outside, great. Until then, the bike comes inside with me.
Yup, I have commonly walked inside establishments with my bike. Most places don't even look twice.

One time in a hotel they told me not to roll them through the lobby, but then didn't have a reasonable answer as to where to store them securely. The other time a clerk at a convenience store on the beach told me I couldn't leave my bike in front, in clear view. I refused to put it around the side where there was nowhere to secure it and out of view, so I rolled it in, to which he tried to make issue which I just ignored until I was paid and gone.

I had often rolled my bike into the local supermarket at used my bag as the "shopping cart" till I got back up front and emptied it back out at the register.
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Old 10-18-19, 01:36 PM
  #38  
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Originally Posted by bpcyclist
It was only when I walked back out that I realized it wasn't a bike rack--it was a sculpture.
The bike shaped sculpture is located at the local library. There also is an air pump located nearby.

The local Walmart does have a bike rack but it is located about 30 feet from the door. I prefer parking closer to the entrance and having the support of the wall when I load groceries in my basket.

Other locations with convenient locked bike parking are at the local hospital fitness center (rack is 30 feet away in the parking lot) and the local casino which has no bike rack.


Note: Locking my bike only to a fixed object while parked for shopping or for an hour or two is not necessary nor an issue for my bike in this town.
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Old 10-20-19, 06:27 AM
  #39  
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Originally Posted by Daniel4
Could be all of those. I've certainly got out my car when I found a safe route to ride to work. And many downtown streets have found increases of many hundreds of percent of ridership with the installation of protected bike lanes without the decrease of public transit users. And with increased cycling ridership comes the increased demand for other things to support cycling, like bike racks, bike lockers and public bicycle service stations.
THIS!

In San Diego, cyclists fought to get a bike path in Mission Valley that went to the beaches... specifically it goes to OB. The Path starts in a baseball recreation area... and is not supported further east, where the tourist hotels exist. There is a complete business opportunity totally missed there... and the city, which thrives on tourism, just doesn't seem to care. They have a potential "highway" to the beach for cyclists, that would not impact beach vehicle parking, would encourage hotel (taxes) use and could spawn other businesses... but no, their SoCal driving attitude just totally overlooks the potential of cycling tourists.

On the other hand, in Fort Worth... they built a nice bike path along the Clear Fork of the Trinity River... and in the Edwards Ranch area... there is a restaurant and BIKE SHOP (MellowJohnnys, at that) along the bike path. There are also easily accessible restaurants in the West Fork Trinity River area in Trinity Park. Now Texas is not exactly "bike friendly" what with "certain attitudes" and the heat, and Fort Worth could use more bike lanes and the like... BUT, these bike paths and the commercial opportunity use are awesome. Too bad other cities do not have said foresight.

BTW, if you happen to go to Fort Worth... 4801 Edwards Ranch Rd #125 , Fort Worth, TX 76109 https://shop.mellowjohnnys.com/
and no, I have no connection... other than to appreciate the situation I mentioned above.
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Old 10-20-19, 07:03 AM
  #40  
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Is this forum bad luck or something?

For two-and-a-half years, where I've lived, I hadn't seen a snake by the house (I hadn't seen a snake anyplace I've lived, either), yet, after coming across a post, here, where someone mentioned they saw a snake while cycling, I saw a small, garden snake (I guess) by the hose, next to the house.

And, now, after reading this thread, where cyclists who lock their bikes to sign posts were criticized, a security guard decided to admonish me (for the first time in my life) for locking my bike to a sign post near the front entrance of the county library, which is attached, inside, along with a large school, saying, "It's not for that; it doesn't belong there."

Literally, 99.99% of businesses and restaurants in the city suburb don't have a bike rack at all (they're only installed at schools and libraries). So, I have the luck of getting scolded at the only place that has a bike rack for a 15 mile radius.

The bike rack seemed to, basically, be installed in a place that caters more to the school and library staff entrance (it's on the side of the building, around 1/3 of a mile away from the main entrance, and I'm not allowed to enter through those doors, as I'm not a part of the school, nor the library staff; library staff, apparently, have a key to enter their door).

The security guards are only there to watch over and protect the school, not watch over my bike, in case it gets stolen. (They don't even notice that drivers without electric vehicles park in the parking lot in spaces that are meant for electric vehicles to charge their batteries. Since not many people cycle in the suburbs, in the first place, and cycling isn't as popular, as it is in larger, metropolitan cities, not many people are aware that bikes can/are stolen; so, no one would be looking out for my bike or notice if someone was trying to steal my bike).

So, that's one reason why I wanted it near the front entrance: so that I can watch over it through the library windows, in case anyone decided to try to mess with it or steal it, and to get back to it, quickly.

Last edited by anon06; 10-20-19 at 07:35 AM.
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Old 10-21-19, 03:30 AM
  #41  
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Originally Posted by BobbyG
There are two other Walmarts in town that have bike racks...at least the last time I checked.
Did you look around the side a ways? lLst time I ever parked a bike at Walmart that's where it was here.

If not I chain it the to cart return in the parking lot. Usually it's not in the way of parking, plus it sends a message.
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Old 10-21-19, 07:07 AM
  #42  
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Originally Posted by Rollfast
If not I chain it the to cart return in the parking lot. Usually it's not in the way of parking, plus it sends a message.
What is the "message" and who do you think is receiving it?
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Old 10-22-19, 07:21 AM
  #43  
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Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
The local Walmart does have a bike rack but it is located about 30 feet from the door. I prefer parking closer to the entrance and having the support of the wall when I load groceries in my basket.
Don't you know those bollards are what you're supposed to lock your bike to?


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Old 10-22-19, 07:39 AM
  #44  
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"I get frustrated because my cane gets caught in the spokes."
"Don't dump your bikes against the wall of a building because my arms get caught in the handle bars and it makes it difficult for blind and low vision people to find the entrance to the building."
"Use common sense. Don't block acess to transit stops, curb ramps, benches, driveways, or doors."

"Bike blocking is not cool. It's rude. It's dangerous."


-mr. bill

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Old 10-22-19, 09:49 AM
  #45  
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Originally Posted by mr_bill
"I get frustrated because my cane gets caught in the spokes."
"Don't dump your bikes against the wall of a building because my arms get caught in the handle bars and it makes it difficult for blind and low vision people to find the entrance to the building."
"Use common sense. Don't block acess to transit stops, curb ramps, benches, driveways, or doors."

"Bike blocking is not cool. It's rude. It's dangerous."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHXozrBZFOM

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Sorry, but what's your point?
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Old 10-22-19, 12:08 PM
  #46  
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Originally Posted by livedarklions
Sorry, but what's your point?
BF brand Yodas don't need no point; Point-less Crypticism Rules!
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