I’ve been noticing a lack of bicycle racks in town. I don’t really mind locking my bike up to a fence, a post, a telephone pole, guard rail, etc. But I definitely don’t want my wheels to get in the way of other city events …
For example, the other day, I parked in a garage on put my bike against a guardrail. One of the attendants in the garage was nice enough to point out that my bike could get wrecked by someone parking. Owww that would be a bummer!
Another example … downtown a lot of the big truck deliveries have to pull up to the front of businesses to unload. This brings them within inches of those perfect city bike parking locations (telephone poles, no-parking signs, etc.)
The other problem with chaining to a pole close to the road is that road construction is constantly happening. You’ve seen how bent up road signs and telephone poles get after a few years of being close to traffic. Is this a safe place for a bike? Probably not.
So what do you think about bike parking in Nashville? Where are you supposed to park your bike when you can’t find a safe place?
This bothers me too. Anytime I’m on my bike and I make a stop I ask the business’ if they’d consider putting in a rack. They usually look at me like I’m high.
Comment by Booksy — March 11, 2009 @ 2:09 PM
It’s quite annoying. Hopefully with the Mayor’s new push for a more walkable/bikeable city, things like this will get better.
Comment by Chewieez — March 11, 2009 @ 4:20 PM
I park anywhere I think is anchored/hard enough to resist sawing through.
Comment by Weber Would Be Proud — March 11, 2009 @ 9:15 PM
Any place that is solid enough. If it is something like a bench, and I can have a view of my bike from the establishment I am going into, I am not too concerned – I guess if I had to I could run the guy down in the time it took them to cut the lock or whatever…
Comment by jeff — March 11, 2009 @ 10:33 PM
I just bring it in unless it’s a restaurant. Walking down the grocery aisle with it gets looks but not as many I would get walking home with my helmet on if my bike walked off.
Comment by JonEric — August 6, 2009 @ 10:58 AM