informal BIKE PARKING PURPOSE: LEADERS: SCALE: FACT:
To increase the supply of bicycle parking where needed. Community Activists Local Businesses Property Owners Street || Block || Building Every parked bicycle belongs to a potential customer.
At the intersection of tactical urbanism and transportation infrastructure is the creation and installation of informal bike racks. The lack of parking options in many cities is inspiring activists, including progressive businesses and “enlightened” property owners, to take it upon themselves to install various types of temporary and semi-permanent solutions. Groups like DoTank have built bike racks and tested them on lamp posts in Williamsburg, with the intent of providing bike parking while also making a statement about the city’s lack of bicycle parking. Businesses such as ¿Por Que No? taqueria in Portland, have also taken it upon themselves to install bike parking in front of their store as a tactic for attracting and servicing customers from the city’s growing bicycle community. Finally, property owners, such as Green Desks in Brooklyn’s DUMBO neighborhood, have affixed “bike rails” directly adjacent to the entrance of the building to meet growing demand. While not all informal bike racks designs are practical or secure for long-term use, they do indicate demand. Smart cities will leave the well-designed racks alone, while replacing the more poorly conceived temporary solutions with higher performing city racks.
Valet event parking by The Street Plans Collaborative. Credit:Mike Lydon
Small bike rails provide bicycle parking at a popular beer garden. Credit: Mike Lydon
To meet demand, this property owner installed a long bike rail. Credit: Ronald Woudstra
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URBANISM