I noticed some peculiar bike parking downtown the other day.
Diagonal staple racks
on SW Fourth Ave.
File photo: 2/17/07
on SW Fourth Ave.
File photo: 2/17/07
On the 300 block of SW Fourth Ave, there’s a set of four standard, blue staple racks placed at a diagonal. The photo isn’t at the best angle, but I think you can see what I mean.
I’m not sure who was behind this unique arrangement of staple racks, but I like it. It reminded me of the on-street parking at Amnesia Brewery and at Fresh Pot on N. Mississippi Street (and soon to come on SE Belmont).
It would be great to see more of these downtown. I think we’re far from having enough staple racks, and while I think Smart Lockers, Bike Oases, and Bikestations are fantastic, there’s really no substitute for the reliable, inexpensive, staple rack.
Thanks for reading.
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the city recently doubled the number of staples in front of Free Geek, now there are so many in a row that it is hard to maximize each one. If they had gone in at an angle it would have solved this problem.
really we need on street bike parking, alas taking a car’s parking space requires more than just calling up the city and asking for more staples.
I agree on the need for more staple racks, or racks of any kind. Too many times, I have to find a street sign or sturdy tree to lock my bike onto.
Very nice! Way to maximize the frontage zone!
It’s about time they figured this out!
I must say your photos are getting better and better all of the time. Meant to say so yesterday. This simple photo is quite lovely in a staple-kind-of-way and inspires today’s compliment.
That’s funny you should bring that up, barbaroo… My background is in photojournalism and I’ve been noticing Jonathan’s pics of late as well. His (if I can speak of him as if he’s in another room) depth of field control has been interesting lately. I’ve been tempted to ask if it’s always a choice or if it’s his equipment making the decision for him.
Either way, there have been some great pics up lately.
Keep up the good work, Jonathan!
Oh, and, yes, more slanty staples. Here, there and everywhere.
_DA
Does this mean that angled staple racks can be placed where the city considers the sidewalk too narrow for pedestrian access AND bike parking?
It sure would be nice to have some racks installed correctly in front of Costello’s Travel Cafe on NE Broadway/23rd-ish. As it is now one’s wheel hangs out into the street where car parking is constant.
In fact, several racks, if they were installed so they can actually be used, are needed all along NE Broadway from 21st to 24th, on both sides of the street. I think there is only one bike rack on either side now, which is far far from suffient especially since the one in front of Costellos can’t be used fully.
It would also be fantastic if installers knew how bikes are parked. Maybe they wouldn’t be installed so close to buildings and curbs that you can’t even use them.
Look at the bike rack at the Providence Medical Building, 47th/Glisan. It’s planted right next to the building.
vent vent
Yes great work PDOT! It is nice to see this type of parking installed…as it is a growing hassle to bike parking on some blocks.
As for bike parking planning…the placement of bike staple racks at a 45 or 90 degree angle is generally only utilized if there is enough sidewalk space for pedestrians to get around this parking pod. And this may not work so well when there are on street parking stalls/ meters to plan access around.
Plus there has to be the bike parking demand (or future expected) to justify the additional racks vs. a single staple.
There are all kinds of improperly installed racks around town, usually ‘ribbon racks’ too close to walls, buildings or curbs. The city never seems to follow up with code enforcement on improperly installed racks. Personally, I prefer the angled staples to the ribbon racks, your bike is more stable on a staple rack and I’ve had my bike knocked over and damaged on ribbon racks before.
Speaking of racks.
The ReBuilding Center really needs to replace their rack. It’s hard to describe why it doesn’t work, but if you check it out you’ll see what I mean. If you’re using a U-Lock, you can either take up the whole rack with one bike, or lock your wheel only.
I’ve mentioned it a number of times to them and nothing. You either have to lock to their railing/sculpture thing or across the street at Mississippi Pizza.
It’s a shame since they went to all the trouble to include the sheltered parking spot in their remodel.
A ribbon rack set at the proper distance from the wall would work.
FYI, the block in mention is the site of the Board of Trade building, which houses the HQ of Transerv, AKA “TranSlave”, the courier company. Since there are messengers and other cyclists coming and going through that specific “port”, the city installed these as a special project. I think it is interesting that the photo shows just one bike parked there; every time I go by, it seems like there’s 6-10. The diagonal racks work well, just make sure not to leave your wheel too close to the curb due to Tri-Met’s proximity.
Inexpensive, reliable, simple. Love the staple rack. Anyone know where I can get one for my backyard, or a close DIY?
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