Bike Parking
 

I have been confronted with a problem that a lot of bikers face: Safe and secure parking in metropolitan areas. Even the best bike racks do not provide the sort of protection from the elements and security from theft and/or vandalism.

To tackle this problem, I have been working on an automated solution that would permit bike parking and sharing 24/7. Ideally spread around the city enabling a combination of inter-modal transport use that would be available at a call, figuratively.

I know there are companies/offices offering protected services within their premises, some of them quite convenient and others a bit of a compromise. I would like to get some feedback on your preferences and if you are brave enough, please participate in the survey that I have set up.

http://securethebike.wordpress.com/

I don't see the need.
To address security, I carry 2 locks, 1 cable, 1 Ulock. This allows me to secure the frame and both wheels to any commonly available bike rack, signpost, or parking meter^^.
The headlights pop off and fit in my pocket, the seatpost is bolted down.

This is enough that I feel comfortable leaving the bike unattended for periods of up to 3 hours, and if you're in a metropolitan area how long are you really away from the bike? It only takes me an hour to go shopping or eat, 2 for a movie.


Explain a bit more about what you've experienced? Do you have to work downtown or something? can't you bring your bike into the office?

If the solution leads to satiation, then by all means. However, and I am probably not alone, there are some who do not want to go through the hassle of finding a lamp or similar sounding post. Parking for a short period is certainly no problem with multiple locks and some extra precautions, but what if one wants to park for say 8 hours or even more. Down-town parking can be difficult and lugging the thing into the office is not any easier. Imagine your dripping (with water) bike rolling over the spotless clean lobby and/or soiling the clean blue carpeting. Someone is not going to be happy.

I'll put it this way, wouldn't it be nice to have a Valet pick up the bike and bring it out when one is ready to leave? I guess that is a bit luxurious, but why not? Especially if the price is right.

Do you have the same for car parking? What makes bicycle parking so different from car parking that you'd need a valet service?

What's wrong with just bike lockers outside your office? I think it would be a lot easier to lobby your office to install some sort of bike lockers than to hire a person to valet bicycles.

FYI: My office lets me roll my bike in on their clean floors. If the roads are wet, I simply shoulder carry it, and place it on a pair of towels next to my desk. Never been a problem.

I am not sure I want anyone else on my bike.

Maybe you're thinking along the lines of bike tree?

Looks like another kid has a project term paper due.

I do this already, except I have a patented name for it: "Make friends with your security guard".

Corporate security guards are always treated like second class citizens, and I've never met one who wasn't down to chat for 10 minutes about whatever (their jobs are pretty boring). As a nifty perk, they know every nook and cranny of the building, and mine lets me keep my bike under a staircase across from his desk. It's better than locking it down, because it's inside and he knows it's mine so there's no way he would let anyone touch it.

Every holiday I bring him a bottle of wine and I get free secure bike parking all year round.

Just do like the kids at my school: use the wheel chair ramps since some of them are covered. To ensure maximum occupancy, ensure that both railings are are used.:notamused:

Don't leave your bike overnight. That's about as safe as it gets... in a relatively traffic'ed area, most bike racks/poles/trees do the job.

This is a form of protest that there are not enough bike racks installed :)

Over half the covered racks are unused