Bike Racks Taken Hostage

Way back in May of last year I posted an entry on how disappointed I was with a contest to design a new New York City bike rack.  The design that was chosen, in my opinion, was a huge dud.  The main evidence is that rarely do I ever see bikes actually locked to them.  Maybe it is because the average cyclist can not identify them as bike racks because they are not labeled like the ones in Prinecton. 

A while ago reader Ian submitted some photos showing that some people are taking advantage of the racks, but perhaps not for the intended purpose.  Take it away Ian . . .

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I came across your post "NYC Bike Rack Verdict: Back to the Drawing Board." I work at Queens Borough Hall, where city DOT installed two of the new circular racks. They were used regularly in the summer... to chain up motorcycles!  These motorcycles' owners may just be the most enthusiastic users of the new bike racks!

This may already be on your radar, but DOT is actually still installing the "old fashioned" U-shaped racks. Several have been installed on and around 36th Avenue in Astoria/Dutch Kills. Sorry, no pictures.

 

Interestingly enough, The Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), which manages Queens Borough Hall, still doesn't allow employees to bring bicycles inside the building. I lock my bike to a railing behind the building.

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Comments

[Leo Horishny]

I can't help but notice the metal grating so close to parking areas for 2 wheeled vehicles...especially in an area with wet weather often.