Living Car Free - Apartment Bikes

I pass this apartment building occasionally and see the bicycles lined up like this on either side of the front door. I stopped to ask the guys on the front step if it is because the owner doesn't allow bikes inside the apartments but no one wanted to talk to me. They were talking to each other in Spanish but I thought someone would understand my English with hand gestures. So I don't know. There are also many bikes locked to signs around there.

Why would you think they're out there because of the landlord not allowing it? Most people don't care if their bikes get rusty and would never want it in their apartment (too dirty). Most of the people around here leave their bike out in rain/snow, etc. The chain rusts, the seat gets moldy and they don't care. I don't understand it.

I pass this apartment building occasionally and see the bicycles lined up like this on either side of the front door. I stopped to ask the guys on the front step if it is because the owner doesn't allow bikes inside the apartments but no one wanted to talk to me. They were talking to each other in Spanish but I thought someone would understand my English with hand gestures. So I don't know. There are also many bikes locked to signs around there.
Convenience and utility just might be a consideration.

What country is that in?

Convenience, cleanliness.

The bike I ride most frequently is the beater that I leave outside on the back porch, out of sight but unlocked. I ride it the most often because it's more convenient than hauling one of the nicer bikes downstairs and then back up again. And I feel better about riding this bike in crappy weather, because even if it gets filthy it won't be tracking grime inside.

If I didn't have a back porch, I'd probably keep it locked up somewhere else outside, like the bikes in your photo.

Why would you think they're out there because of the landlord not allowing it? Most people don't care if their bikes get rusty and would never want it in their apartment (too dirty). Most of the people around here leave their bike out in rain/snow, etc. The chain rusts, the seat gets moldy and they don't care. I don't understand it.
Well, this building is different from the rest in the area. This is the only one with so many bikes out front, twice as many as in the photo. Also, the people line their bikes up neatly. It isn't just rust but in the city people will remove parts from your bike. If there are always people on the front step maybe the parts removal isn't a problem. It was just a guess about the landlord. Many apartments have a bike room. My building has maybe 50 bikes in the bike room and many of us keep our bikes in our apartments. I find it more convenient to have the bike in the apartment than in the bike room or on the street.

What country is that in?
I think it is the Washington, DC area. Some would argue that inside the Beltway is a universe unto itself, Cosmoline. :D

Different bikes for different purposes. I think that these people probably don't value bikes the same way like people do on this and other forums. They buy the bike at a department store new or a beater from various sources-or maybe the bike was even donated (given) to them. Whatever the reason, the bike might never seen the inside of a bike shop or if so, for a very long time. The bike does what it is intended for-cheap transportation-and that is all. This appears to be a example of cultural, rather than bicycle, differences amoung people using the bikes vs. people viewing the photo.

Wow. Having to resort to hand gestures because nobody understands English--I guess Lou Dobbs is right! LOL

My bike doesn't come inside because that would involve dealing with doors, stairs, and tight spaces all at once. Similar issues may apply there, or it could be that the landlord doesn't like dirty carpets.

There's a similar apartment building around the corner from me. Though rather than being neatly lined up the bikes are scattered everywhere up & down the block locked to every secure fixture. Through out DC you can find apartment building likes this. Typically they are cheaper buildings occupied by Hispanic workers. Better managed apartments wouldn't tolerate the 'junk yard' look.

As for why? I've talked with a few of these guys and while I've never asked this question I do know that the apartments themselves are very (over)crowded. So they probably just don't want the bike in the way.

There's a similar apartment building around the corner from me. Though rather than being neatly lined up the bikes are scattered everywhere up & down the block locked to every secure fixture. Through out DC you can find apartment building likes this. Typically they are cheaper buildings occupied by Hispanic workers. Better managed apartments wouldn't tolerate the 'junk yard' look.

As for why? I've talked with a few of these guys and while I've never asked this question I do know that the apartments themselves are very (over)crowded. So they probably just don't want the bike in the way.
The building is at 11th and N NW. Ride past and see how the density of bikes exceeds that of other buildings on the block. I notice the building every time I ride down 11th street.

It looks like a pretty nice place to live.

It looks like a pretty nice place to live.
Its on the frontier. A few blocks west is a pricey neighborhood where my bosses
boss lives. A few blocks east or some would say that block is a high crime area. The "No Loitering" signs on the building in English and Spanish is a clue that the management has had a problem with non-residents hanging out and causing trouble for residents.