Two Polls about new Parking Bike Corrals

[lentower.livejournal.com]

There are two print media polls about the new bike corrals in Somerville.

Please take part in them!

A few screens down on the right hand side of
http://www.thesomervillenews.com/

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Today's Poll

Are you in favor of the new bike corrals being installed in meter spots in busy business areas?

O Yes
O No

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On the right side of
http://www.somervillescout.com/

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Question of the Week

What's your opinion of bike corrals?
O I use them and love them. The City should keep making life easier for bicyclists.
O Not a biker, but cars should be used to sharing the road.
O Not a fan. We need more car parking spaces, not fewer.
O Not sure.

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Thanks!

Comments

[42itous.livejournal.com]

I am short, and I think I have 24" wheels on my bike, which are an unusual size... but shouldn't bike racks accommodate a great range of bicycles, including kids'?

[ron_newman]

Yes, and I'm going to pass this feedback on to Sarah Spicer, who ordered these corrals for the city.

[lentower.livejournal.com]

(Ron: Please pass this on to Sarah)

The best bike rack design is two vertical posts about two feet apart.
Optionally made out of one piece of pipe bent into an upside down "U".

This fits all sizes of bikes!

Spaced so two bicycles can use one pair of posts.
Less material (which is "greener"), and easier to get the bicycles in and out.

Something like
http://www.occoutdoors.com/bike-rack-u-design.html
though those posts in those "U"s could be another 6" to 12" apart.

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I can see why the city would like a "corral",
that is a fence on three sides.
It increases safety for everybody,
and keeps the bicycles safer.

[sparr0.livejournal.com]

One corral is easier/cheaper/faster to install and maintain than 6 u-loops.

[lentower.livejournal.com]

http://www.occoutdoors.com/bike-rack-u-design.html
is in one piece.

That configuration might even be made inside a corral.
I didn't do deep research.

[sparr0.livejournal.com]

Corrals also have the benefit of preventing bikes from protruding into the street, or cars accidentally hitting the bikes.