No Bike Parking
#1
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No Bike Parking
This sign is right at the Columbia Heights Subway station at a new infill development of classy condos and national chain retailers in the densest neighborhood in the city a great place to live car free. I expected the developers to look around and see that bike racks would be a welcome amenity since there are so many transportational cyclists in the neighborhood. When I saw this sign it reminded me of the newcomers on my block who objected to city provided bike racks on the grounds that bikes parked on the block make the place "look ghetto". I hope this isn't a sign of the future now that city living is becoming hip.
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If it's private property as it says, seems there's not a lot that can be done. If it's on city property or a right-of way, different matter. Check the back of the sign and if says that the sign is city/county/state property I would question why public funds are used for a sign on private property.
Edit: I just noticed you are in D.C. I lived in D.C/ Maryland for several years. Your location explains a lot.
Edit: I just noticed you are in D.C. I lived in D.C/ Maryland for several years. Your location explains a lot.
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Looking at the picture, I'm wondering if there's been a problem in the past with cyclists locking their bikes to hand rails at the stairs. It may be worth making a few calls and finding out.
If the problem has been bikes parked where they are in the way, then ask if there is a way to add a bike rack.
If the problem has been bikes parked where they are in the way, then ask if there is a way to add a bike rack.
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I'd be tempted to do a park-in. Get 10 friends with bikes with good kryptonite locks, and lock them to something in that area for an hour. Remove. Repeat ad infinitum, at varying times. Maybe they will get the message eventually.
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#10
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But having said that, I always hated DC for bikes. DC drivers just don't seem to see bikes.
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Consider it a good thing. Bike racks next to a subway station get hit hard. I would never park my bike next to a subway or rail station.
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Do you have a desire to park a bike in this location, or are you just offended by a sign someone put up?
This looks likely from the picture. College campuses often explain this on the sign or a sticker.
This looks likely from the picture. College campuses often explain this on the sign or a sticker.
#15
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That sign post looks like a lovely place to lock a bike.
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I noticed that around our subway stations, Metro has installed "No Bike Parking" signs on many fences. This is new this month. It jarred me to see such a sign on a fence where I had locked up many times- Not a hand rail not a safety problem. Metro has been upgrading the bike racks but there still aren't enough of them and they aren't as conveniently located as some of the fences that now have "No Bike Parking" signs.
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I'd think the signs at the rail stations would be to help prevent thefts but they should also provide an alternative if they don't want anyone parking there.
#18
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That's right. If there was a need for the sign, there's obviously also a need for bike parking. Too bad this observation was TOO obvious for the moron who put up the stupid sign.
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#19
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I wonder if there is bike parking that you have to pay for nearby, and they want to keep you from parking your bike for free in the surrounding area.
#20
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This would go against the grain for most cyclists I know.
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#22
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However, there are a couple free bicycle racks as well.
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I showed the picture of that sign to my better-half, suggesting it would look cool in the living room.
"Pffft, ."
An afterthought: If bike parking makes a place "look ghetto," what does car parking make it look like? A parking lot, with or without cars in it, is much more aesthetically assaulting than a bike rack.
"Pffft, ."
An afterthought: If bike parking makes a place "look ghetto," what does car parking make it look like? A parking lot, with or without cars in it, is much more aesthetically assaulting than a bike rack.
Last edited by CommuterRun; 01-10-08 at 03:34 AM.