Reader Anton spotted the following at the University of Otago Medical School in Dunedin, NZ.
Anton writes - "Not sure what this is, but my guess is surfboard carrier. Any others? Even though Dunedin is quite southerly (Antarctic southerly) our surfers are tough. So its a reasonable guess...."
We have seen a surfboard rack before on Bike Hacks, but this rack is perplexing because it does not look like it would give the rider the ability to pedal with a full stroke. The way it is set up makes it seem like you would have to pedal only a portion of the stroke, and then pedal backward to go forward again. Do others have thoughts?
Perhaps it folds out?
Posted by: Grego | 04/17/2012 at 02:20 AM
If you look at the seatpost you see that it sticks out quite a bit. I think it's possible to pedal as normal with this thing. The surfboard idea sounds as a good one.
Posted by: Folg | 04/17/2012 at 03:17 AM
Folg is quite right, it dows stick out quite a bit, and would allow pedalling - the angle of the shot didn't quite make it clear.
Posted by: Anton | 04/17/2012 at 04:13 AM
It could be a new anti-theft device to slow down snatch and ride thefts.
Posted by: Ted | 04/17/2012 at 07:37 PM
It appears to have a quick release just under the seat, if that's the case , then all he (she?) has to do is slacken the clamp , and swing the rack out a tad.
Posted by: anglophony | 04/18/2012 at 04:43 PM
Also noted the fact it seems to clear the pedal ... the padding made me wonder if it was for carrying something like a Bass Violin or something semi-fragile. Surfboard is as good an explanation as any to me :)
Posted by: AP | 04/18/2012 at 06:17 PM
I've seen bike-racks like that in Wellington, carrying surfboards.
Posted by: atom | 04/19/2012 at 09:47 AM
Yeah, it's definitely a surf board rack - we get them here too:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/karl-on-sea/7125265343/in/photostream
Posted by: Karl McCracken (twitter: @KarlOnSea) | 04/29/2012 at 02:17 PM