Bike Tree?
 

http://www.biketree.com/


Has anyone seen this before?

Doesn't look too secure. And way more complicated than a well designed bike rack needs to be, but still kinda cool for the same reason.

Yes.

I don't trust it...

It's also kinda ugly.

looks stupid

shared bicycles, got that. Then click it back into any free rack and it is pulled up under the cover to keep it dry. Holland, right?

i think it's pretty cool. i wonder how much they'd charge you to store your bike there, though.

I thought this was going to be about this:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ke-in-tree.jpg

I think it's great! except I can't tell how secure the bike is? (from a thief I mean) beside's that I don't think it's any uglier or stupid looking than any other bike rack/bike parking device. Matter of fact I think it look's really good with any modern area and just as good in any historical area too :) I don't think they are all "shared bikes" as the lady in the second video is obviously riding her own personal bike. My comment's on the astetics are just my humble opinion ;)

wasn't that on that Americas next inventor show

it has a wireless network?

I've read about these before. They're supposed to be designed to conserve the ground space, hence the suspending of the bikes.

i loved that book as a kid.

Really like the canopy + off ground aspect, in snowy weather that would be great.

Could use some restyling though.

I don't see how it conserves much ground space. Sure the base is smaller but when you take into account the overall footprint including the need to approach from all around the perimeter it looks like it would need more space.

It might be workable at something like a bus stop where it could double as a shelter, but now your standing under dripping bikes.

And what to do when the rack is full?

The same thing you do when any other rack is full. Go elsewhere or something.

I think its great. Anything that could get people to think riding bikes is good idea is a good idea.

American cities all need these or something like them. The promotion of bike riding in America is lax hell.
America please wake up!!

You're making a big difference.

Not really, but I promote riding everyday.

we do it here, too. americans have critical mass, ghost bikes, naked bike riders, guerilla bike lanes (my favoite), etc. there are plenty of activists. you're preaching to the choir.

Im not preaching to anyone.
And I'm an American.

i want to just hack the RFID with a laptop and watch bikes rain from the sky

The website doesn't mention whether or not it locks, and it looks like there's no effective way for you to use your own lock (since there's nothing to lock to, and the back wheel needs to roll). Smart cards can be hacked, but it looks like all you need to get a bike free is a ladder.

I would like one in my city. IMHO.

The ultimate wedgie machine!

It seems like an overly complex solution to a problem that has already been solved. I would rather see the money for one of these put into more bike lanes or free bikes for kids or something of the sort. Plus I think it only fits like eight bikes? which means it would take up more space than a bike rack to do the same work. And probably break at the worst possible time.

Or whack people on the head with them. Death from above!

What happens when the power goes out or the thing malfunctions...I'd be callin' the fire station faster than a little girl that's got her kitty stuck in a tree.

Im kind of surprised at all the hate. I dont think its perfect, but I think we should support the increased biking infrastructure.

Like any system it can have its issues. But I think the idea of putting bikes up high (and protected from the weather) is great, and I think it would be applied far better than in a man made tree. Why not make a small groove in a downtown building and do the exact same idea? Swipe your card, bike goes up, its clean and far more out of the way. If these were fairly common to the places I frequented Id totally rather carry around a key card rather than a krypto lock.

I personally think it looks pretty secure. I mean its too high to reach and there are no climbing points. And it would look very suspicious if a couple of guys showed up with a ladder. It would probably take slightly less time to pull up with a ladder and steal a bike than it would to cut a krypto. Plus didnt it mention it has a security cam? For something like this you would obviously have to register to get that card, and so you would think that by paying a fee to use the bike tree there would be some liability for that company to replace your bike if it were stolen. That said I would be sketched to leave a very valuable bike on one for long, but then again Id be sketched to leave the same bike on a rack with a good lock.