If your bike is parked in front of Diesel or Bloc 11, you should move it tonight

[ron_newman]

The city has put signs around the bike corral in front of Diesel Cafe, saying that it will be removed tomorrow. I assume the same is true for the corral in front of Bloc 11, but I didn't go by there today.

If your bike is attached to either of these racks, you should move it somewhere else tonight.

The corrals will return next spring.

Comments

[hrafn.livejournal.com]

Aw, bummer :(

Not that I bike so much in the winter any more, but still.

[ron_newman]

The city considers these to be vulnerable to damage from snow, or more likely, from snowplows.

They've ordered seven more to be scattered around the city next year. One will go in front of True Grounds in Ball Square, one likely in the Union Square brick plaza (not on the street), and we're looking for suggestions for other locations.

[pekmez.livejournal.com]

So the city puts these there on purpose, and Diesel and Bloc 11 isn't paying them "rent" for the loss of a metered parking space? That's nice to know, I was figuring Diesel had to make some sort of deal with the city to get one.

I look forward to one in front of True Grounds.

[ron_newman]

The city asks businesses to tell them if they'd like one of these in front, and members of the Bicycle Committee have so far pitched them successfully to Diesel, Bloc 11, and True Grounds.

Also, I've heard that Mimi Graney of Union Square Main Streets would like one on the brick plaza, probably near SCATV so that it is useful for, but does not interfere with, the Farmers' Market and ArtsUnion events.

ETA: I talked to Mimi a couple of days ago, and actually she'd like to put it in front of Ronnarong restaurant, using a hashed-off triangular area of the parking lot that is not quite large enough for a car parking space.

[vonelftinhaus.livejournal.com]

This is great to know Ron, Thank you. When I have traveled to other cities bike parking has always been more available than here- like Key West and San Fran. We have to start somewhere I guess with bike parking and accessibility right

[ron_newman]

Where do you want to see more bike parking in Somerville? I can pass your suggestions on to the city, or you can e-mail them directly to Sarah Spicer, sspicer at somervillema.gov .

[vonelftinhaus.livejournal.com]

Thank you again- I am thinking it over whereas obviously high traffic bike/pedestrian areas are the places that would need it the most. One note to make is corral areas that are not as big as the diesel one but not as small as say the metal rings that only hold 1-3 bikes.

[ron_newman]

I think the corrals come only in this one standard size.

[boblothrope.livejournal.com]

How far in advance did the sign go up?

The city should really post a notification several weeks in advance for a non-emergency bike rack removal.

[ron_newman]

I don't know the answer to that. I saw the signs yesterday evening as I was visiting Diesel.

These corrals aren't really intended for overnight bike storage anyway. I just posted this in case anyone here was using them that way. They are really for people visiting the nearby businesses (any nearby businesses, not just Diesel and Bloc 11)

[boblothrope.livejournal.com]

One of the big advantages of bikes is that you don't have to worry about short-term parking restrictions. I can lock my bike close to any place I go, and if my plans change and I don't ride it to the next place I go, it stays there until I need it.

[ron_newman]

I'm wondering why the corrals are still there tonight, even though the signs say they are to be removed today. (Maybe DPW is waiting until late at night after all the businesses close?)

There's still one bicycle locked to the Diesel rack right now.

ETA 12/24: Both corrals are gone now.