Living Car Free - Bike shops without bike racks

I went to a local performance bike shop and was surprised they didn't have a bike rack out front to lock your bike up to. When asked why they said I could bring it in instead but this store was lacking space on the inside I would hate to knock over one of their shiny new bikes. I just found that ironic. The twisted side of me is waiting for a nasty rainy day to go buy one single tube. Then another shop in town has a rack but its secured using a ulock to the building way to close to the wall so you have to really fuss with it to get your bike on securely. Both these places really disappoint me and it says a lot of what kind of customers they cater to despite the fact both sell commuter equip and bikes. Sorry just had to rant.

I dono. I do find that I'm sufficiently uncomfortable with bike lock security (given that my last bike was stolen after a mere few months... and it wasn't even an expensive bike) that I like to have my ride with me while I shop. Especially because I'm usually looking to see if some item I wish to purchase will fit gracefully on my bike....

The LBS that I frequent has two bike racks in front of their store, but no one uses them. They are the old front wheel bender type, and are mainly used to display the LBS's used bikes. Since the LBS has big front door and enough empty floor space, I just wheel my bike in, no need to lock it up, and the LBS is more than happy to accommodate my bike.

Maybe the LBS is giving them away alla Kickstand Cyclery (http://www.yehudamoon.com/index.php?date=2008-02-18)? :D:D:D

The more I think about it there are at least two more shops I have been to that don't have racks, I really find it strange. Maybe it's just me.

Sometimes trees can be a substitute.. It'd be a sign that maybe one should pedal on by.

I've noticed a lack of racks at bike shops and all over here in the DC area. I won't patronize a store that doesn't provide suitable racks. I even changed my bank because of it (Eagle Bank.) My mother's retirement home didn't provide a rack so I'd just wheel my bike into their office!! When questioned I said "You'd think any professional (air quotes) healthcare facility (air quotes, again) would promote bike riding, wouldn't you?" They never said anything again, nevertheless we've since moved her to one that does.

Daibutsu.. We've moved her to one that does.. I like your spunk...

My mother's retirement home didn't provide a rack so I'd just wheel my bike into their office!! When questioned I said "You'd think any professional (air quotes) healthcare facility (air quotes, again) would promote bike riding, wouldn't you?" They never said anything again, nevertheless we've since moved her to one that does.

Are you saying you uprooted your mother from her retirement home solely because of your annoyance at them for not providing a bike rack for you use? Your mother have any say in this? No one would brag about forcing their aged mother to relocate for such a nitpick reason. Somehow I believe you/she had other reasons.

Oh sure, she's in a far better place. Not that far, better yet. LOL. It just set the stage; It really does reflect concern and professionalism just like the bike shops ought to.

My LBS is like the OP's--no bike rack in nice weather, when they have used bikes and rentals occupying. I take my bike in, but there's no good place to lean it. I'm always afraid that I'm going to knock over a whole row of their brand new bikes and scratch up a couple of them. :eek:

My LBS is like the OP's--no bike rack in nice weather, when they have used bikes and rentals occupying. I take my bike in, but there's no good place to lean it. I'm always afraid that I'm going to knock over a whole row of their brand new bikes and scratch up a couple of them. :eek:

See! This is why the government needs to take over the bicycle shops and run them.

Rise up comrades!!!!
:D

My LBS is like the OP's--no bike rack in nice weather, when they have used bikes and rentals occupying. I take my bike in, but there's no good place to lean it. I'm always afraid that I'm going to knock over a whole row of their brand new bikes and scratch up a couple of them. :eek:

Maybe that's why my LBS's help doesn't have a look horror on their faces when I happen to drop down my kickstand. ;)

The Performance Bike in Greensboro, NC didn't have a rack either and when I asked they told me the same thing that they told the OP. I don't have a problem with that. The other shops there had racks though. So far, the shops in the Portland, OR area all have racks. Like the OP, I don't feel comfortable locking my bike up outside.

My bike shop has litte bike rack just inside the door that i put my bike in. I dont have to lock it since i can see it while shoping.

The funny thing isn't that some LBSs don't have racks--it's that almost none of them do have racks.

The owner of my LBS said they don't need a rack because very few customers actually ride a bike to the shop. 99 % drive there! Fewer people ride to a bike shop than ride to the average coffee shop. :rolleyes: The owner also told me that they don't need a rack because they have no problem with people bringing bikes into the shop, even though it's small and crowded.

One time we had a little fun with them. I was on a ride with three friends and I wanted to pick up an inner tube. Nobody wanted to stay outside to guard the bikes, so I said, "We'll all go in--he told me it's OK." They sure freaked when all four of us walked in with our bikes! :D

My bike shop has litte bike rack just inside the door that i put my bike in. I dont have to lock it since i can see it while shoping.

That's what my shop needs. Then I wouldn't have to worry about knocking over the brand new display models.

BTW, welcome to the forum. It's nice to have you here! :)

My LBS has a rack for its used models and I just lock up there, unless I am getting work done on the bike. In which case I would roll it into the shop.

If there weren't a rack, I would quickly point out to the owner that he could say a bundle of maintenance on his flooring if he spent $500 buck on a rack.

I actually see a fair number of people who bike to the LBS... but yes.. most people drive in.

Of the dozen or so shops in my area, I use four.

The first (http://www.fullmoonvista.com/) is downtown and caters to commuters and car-free types. It has an old wheel-bender out front, but they encourage people to just ride in through the service entrance in the back. Fixie kids have put skid marks in the carpet.

The second (http://www.towners.com/) is also in the city (but not downtown) the oldest and largest shop in the area. They have a wheel-bender out front, and another one just inside the door, where they put bikes waiting for service or to be picked-up. I use the inside rack but don't lock to it.

The third (http://www.towpathbike.com/) is a suburban shop right on the Erie Canalway. They have two wheel-benders out front that they typically use for new bike display, much like a car dealer. You can see the shop and all the shiny new bikes as you ride by. I lock to the end of one of the racks. I figure a brand new unlocked bike is more likely to be taken than my used locked one.

The fourth shop (http://parkavebike.com/) I use is a high-end suburban one. The suburb they're in is high-end too. They put out a small, light-weight vestigial bike rack useful purely as decoration. I take my bike inside and lean it against a display, being careful not to scratch my bike. (Who cares about the display?)

My LBS has an old rack right outside the front door. It always has one or two bikes in there, used for sale. Funny, at the pool I use, it has a bike rack that holds maybe 40-50 bikes, but I have never seen not one bike in them. I bring my inside the pool area.

The owner of one of the LBS that I frequent gets downright upset if you don't bring your bike inside.

The owner of one of the LBS that I frequent gets downright upset if you don't bring your bike inside.

That's a nice attitude. I would want to shop there as much as possible. :)

I went to a local performance bike shop and was surprised they didn't have a bike rack out front to lock your bike up to. When asked why they said I could bring it in instead but this store was lacking space on the inside I would hate to knock over one of their shiny new bikes. I just found that ironic. The twisted side of me is waiting for a nasty rainy day to go buy one single tube. Then another shop in town has a rack but its secured using a ulock to the building way to close to the wall so you have to really fuss with it to get your bike on securely. Both these places really disappoint me and it says a lot of what kind of customers they cater to despite the fact both sell commuter equip and bikes. Sorry just had to rant.

Maybe if more people expressed their concern to the shops they would rethink things.

Are you saying you uprooted your mother from her retirement home solely because of your annoyance at them for not providing a bike rack for you use? Your mother have any say in this? No one would brag about forcing their aged mother to relocate for such a nitpick reason. Somehow I believe you/she had other reasons.

His post does not imply that the bike rack had anything to do with the move -- just that the new location has one.

Maybe if more people expressed their concern to the shops they would rethink things.

Probably true, but I bet what a previous poster said about almost all customers driving to the shop is true. When I really think about it the majority of cycling world is recreational not transportational. I just checked road cycling forum has 238 viewing lcf has 6 viewing. We are a crazy minority I guess. The shops I frequent with racks never have another bike on rack when I lock mine up now that I think about it.

I just checked road cycling forum has 238 viewing lcf has 6 viewing. We are a crazy minority I guess. The shops I frequent with racks never have another bike on rack when I lock mine up now that I think about it.

The roadies are finished for the year... they spend all their time on RC cause there's nothing else to do. The hordes of LCF posters are struggling through the snow to get groceries.

That's why the numbers are down. :)

Have you checked out Blue Line Bike Lab in the Heights? They're a very commuter-friendly store - a good % of their customers are bike commuters, and their philosophy is that commuters always go to the front of the line when it comes to service. Plus they're easy to bike to - they're located right off of Heights Blvd. (on White Oak / 6th). They also have a bike rack right in front, although a lot of people just bring their bike inside (plenty of room).

.... The hordes of LCF posters are struggling through the snow to get groceries.
:)

Except for me. I'm still sitting it out with a sore paw,
:(

I have been to blue line a couple of times need to get by there more. I really like that commuter motto I will have to remember that when my norm lbs is to busy.

My lbs has a bike rack outside the door, as well the city has a bunch of ring and post bike racks up and down the street. So luckily there are plenty of spots available when I show up with my bike.

Except for me. I'm still sitting it out with a sore paw,
:(

And me. I'm starting to rehab the knee tho.

As always... local bike shops have bike racks. With bikes attached. Not for sale. The one shop that uses racks to display bikes uses movable ones that are large and take a good dozen or so bikes... all of which get chained to the rack.

I've got my pick of wheelbenders, wave racks, city issue racks, ring and post racks... you name it, odds are a local shop has one for the customers. Most shops around here have an employee or two who rides to work, and customers often come via bike. It really seems to help the shops, since they can *see* the customer's existing bike or test the fit right in the shop.

Hi, Scattered -

Boone Cycles has racks outside; mostly new bikes on them tho.

I leaned my old Trek up against a new bike - just made sure it was the side of the saddle and the bar padding in contact.

Sad to say, I drove it there. It doesn't go too fast with the rear hub blown.

Hi, Scattered -

Boone Cycles has racks outside; mostly new bikes on them tho.

I leaned my old Trek up against a new bike - just made sure it was the side of the saddle and the bar padding in contact.

Sad to say, I drove it there. It doesn't go too fast with the rear hub blown.
My bike has seen that rack more than a few times, I am tempted to swing by there to see if they have any of the 09 Bianchi steel road bikes coming in I notice they have rack eyelets on them which is what I really want on a new road bike, but they aren't that common. Apparently I am obsessed with racks.

Apparently I am obsessed with racks.

Then you probably voted for BaRACK Obama.

;)

Apparently I am obsessed with racks.

You should rethink your priorities.

Then you probably voted for BaRACK Obama.

;)


You should rethink your priorities.

Our brains really do work differently!

:D

You should rethink your priorities.
:lol:

my LBS tried to offer a rack when they opened several years ago, alot of commuters go there so the owner thought it would be a great idea. The city cited him for blocking the sidewalk!!!

When I first clicked this thread, I thought it would be about shops not selling bike racks for cars.

Ironically, the LBS that I can ride to is the only one without a bike rack. Go figure.

my LBS tried to offer a rack when they opened several years ago, alot of commuters go there so the owner thought it would be a great idea. The city cited him for blocking the sidewalk!!!

38 replies, and only ONE ^^^ offered the notion that it's not up to the shop whether or not they can even HAVE a rack out front.

I'll bet that if most of you asked the shops whether it was their choice or the property owner's policy to not have bike racks out front, you'll find that not very many shops will say that it was their idea.

Besides, I kinda like bringing my bikes into the shop. Employees and customers like talking about them. Might even be helping business, too.

38 replies, and only ONE ^^^ offered the notion that it's not up to the shop whether or not they can even HAVE a rack out front.

I'll bet that if most of you asked the shops whether it was their choice or the property owner's policy to not have bike racks out front, you'll find that not very many shops will say that it was their idea.

Besides, I kinda like bringing my bikes into the shop. Employees and customers like talking about them. Might even be helping business, too.

In DC, last time I checked, the city will install racks for free on only two conditions, the property owner says its OK and the rack is free for anyone to use. They put the racks on the sidewalk.

To complicate things, the property owner likely isn't the bike shop at all, but their landlord, who owns the retail strip that they're leasing out of.

To complicate things, the property owner likely isn't the bike shop at all, but their landlord, who owns the retail strip that they're leasing out of.

Exactly. My favorite bike shop is in a strip mall type building, so they really have no say. The owner is a heads-up guy so he puts out a triathlon style rack out front that will hold 4-5 bikes when the shop is open. You can't lock to it, but you don't really need to since it's a small shop and the rack is right in front of the window.

The two shops I ride to have racks out front - I still bring my bike in the store with me.

38 replies, and only ONE ^^^ offered the notion that it's not up to the shop whether or not they can even HAVE a rack out front.


That's probably because most of the time it IS up to the shop. (Several mentioned that the LBS has bike racks, but they're used for display of new or used bikes.) Usually, if a shop has off-street parking for cars, they could choose to convert one space to parking for up to 11 bikes. They may choose not to give up even one parking spot--possibly because they don't have many customers arriving by bike.

My LBS has a rack, but I've never really seen the reason to use it. It is crowded inside and my bike does have to lean against one of their equipment walls, but most of the time I'm bringing the bike inside so they can take a look at it anyway. Even if it's just to buy tubes, I'll bring it in as I don't carry my lock with me on training rides.

Now that you mention it, the only shop in Richmond that has a rack out front is Richmond Re-Cycle, down in the college area and very commuter oriented.

And thinking back, none of the three shops (five locations) I worked in 35 years ago had racks out front, either.

Of course, back then you could park your bike outside the shop and go in to do business for awhile - and when you went back outside your bike was still there. Untouched. And kickstands were still the usual, so who needed a rack?

That's probably because most of the time it IS up to the shop. (Several mentioned that the LBS has bike racks, but they're used for display of new or used bikes.) Usually, if a shop has off-street parking for cars, they could choose to convert one space to parking for up to 11 bikes. They may choose not to give up even one parking spot--possibly because they don't have many customers arriving by bike.

Really? Most commercial space for small retail businesses is leased. So even if a shop isn't in some sort of strip mall, it is likely they still have little say on whether they can install a rack. Same for a parking lot.

I can't say that I have ever seen a bike shop using a regular rack (one you would expect to lock your bike to) for display. Many have temp racks that they bring out front to display bikes, but not ones I would want to lock my bike to anyhow.

Lastly, and probably most important, is the cost factor. I don't know too many bike shops who are raking in the cash. Most do a good business but it isn't something you tend to get into to get uber rich. So a bike shop has to weigh the cost of installing a rack (and usually dealing with the petitions etc to be allowed to install) vs how many people would use it. I would bet most say for the few people that bike to the shop it is more cost effective to let them bring their bike in.

-D

Well, I suppose if your bike is rideable you don't need to go to the shop, do you?

Really? Most commercial space for small retail businesses is leased. So even if a shop isn't in some sort of strip mall, it is likely they still have little say on whether they can install a rack. Same for a parking lot.


-D

A coffee shop here converted a car parking space on the street into bike parking. If a coffee shop can do it so can a bike shop. A bar seems to have converted a car space to motorcycle parking- with cctv over the bar so the bikers can see when someone is checking out their bikes. The bar also has bike racks on the adjacent sidewalk since bicyclists also hang out there. So, it can happen.