Why not just lock to the meter?
2009-01-28 / 22:56 / dave
Apparently we might soon have sponsored bike racks attached to parking meters. Great! Except for the titular question. The mini-U is sized to go around meters. It’s true that larger locks aren’t always safe since the bike can be lifted off, but in general an area with meters has lots of other lock targets (trees, signs, fences, railings).
I suspect the main use is as a revenue source; I can only hope the ads are as classy as those above urinals.
I am excited about the expedited process for allowing businesses to install their own bike rack (more about that at Bike Pittsburgh).
Yeah, I don’t have high hopes for the classy advertising. ;-) One selling point of the ad-driven solution is that biz owners wouldn’t have to pay anything for those racks, not even the $25 permit.
Slightly-related side note: We stopped by Over the Bar this past Sunday, and the owner (Mike?) mentioned that they were going to try to get the parking spot(s) in front of the restaurant converted to bike-only parking. If I didn’t live walking distance, I’d park my bike there on principle if that happened.
Cheers,
John P.
I suppose $0 < $25, but $25 doesn’t seem like very much.
Speaking of OTB, I’m going to head down on Friday for their “Grand Opening”. Free appetizers (“hour d’oeuvres” on the announcement, but…) from 6-8! They know what makes cyclists tick.
> I suppose $0 < $25, but $25 doesn’t seem like very much.
I agree, but I’m guessing that Peduto’s ad-laden proposal was made in the spirit of $0 < $125 (the pre-revision bike rack fee), which still isn’t much, but 3 digits feels more like real money.
I think we’re aiming for the Saturday version of the grand opening, since 6-8pm coincides with the time that we’re trying to convince Kira that “no, really, sleep is good for you.” We might see you there if we can’t persuade her, though. :)
So… I’ll see you Friday? :)