bicycle parking needs

[Tim Kelley]

So more importantly, what are you going to do about it?

[Dickie]

OK, I’ll bite…. do you have suggestions oh wise “mega watt” one? If it involves cash you didn’t read my “can’t afford soup” line correctly did you?

[Tim Kelley]

@Tim Kelley 68579 wrote:

So more importantly, what are you going to do about it?

I’ll tell you!

If you see a place on public property, that Arlington County owns or has an easement on, you can use this form: http://www.bikearlington.com/pages/biking-in-arlington/bike-parking/request-a-bike-rack/

If it is on private land, like at Whole Foods, you can try talking to the store manager or corporate office to get them to install better parking. In the case of a grocery store, you can try shaming them with our handy Grocery Store Bike Parking guide: http://www.bikearlington.com/pages/biking-in-arlington/bike-parking/bike-parking-at-arlington-grocery-stores/ But yeah, get your friends together and get them to all to go and complain.

Did you know? Despite having the Arlington County Bike Map as their wall decor the bike rack at the Whole Foods in Clarendon isn’t even bolted to the ground. You can literally pick it up and move it around….

[bobco85]

There’s information on the Bike Arlington website page for bike parking: http://www.bikearlington.com/pages/biking-in-arlington/bike-parking/
You can request a bike rack, and there’s also a page that shows the locations of bike racks for various grocery stores (with ratings) around Arlington. Personally, I had no idea that there was a bike rack at the Harris Teeter on Glebe until seeing this (of course, it’s hidden around the back so there was little chance I’d see it and the area around the bike rack is quite cramped).

My recommendation for places that need bike parking: every single one of the strip malls that populate the DC metro area where one must find a railing/lamppost/tree/signpost (signpost if I’m desperate) for securing their bike.

EDIT: Or just follow what Tim said as I was still typing my post.

[Dickie]

@Tim Kelley 68582 wrote:

Did you know? Despite having the Arlington County Bike Map as their wall decor the bike rack at the Whole Foods in Clarendon isn’t even bolted to the ground. You can literally pick it up and move it around….

That would explain why it is in a different spot every time I go… I didn’t even see it last time! Thanks for the info Tim.

[guga31bb]

@Tim Kelley 68582 wrote:

I’ll tell you!
In the case of a grocery store, you can try shaming them with our handy Grocery Store Bike Parking guide: http://www.bikearlington.com/pages/biking-in-arlington/bike-parking/bike-parking-at-arlington-grocery-stores/

I’m looking at this map, and doesn’t the Harris Teeter on Lee Hwy and Harrison St have a bike rack? There’s definitely one to the left of the entrance. How does this map get updated?

[Tim Kelley]

@guga31bb 68589 wrote:

I’m looking at this map, and doesn’t the Harris Teeter on Lee Hwy and Harrison St have a bike rack? There’s definitely one to the left of the entrance. How does this map get updated?

Looks like the anchor tags got screwed up.

But scroll down, here’s the update:

Updated February, 2013 via Chris S.: There is now a single wave rack installed to the left of the main entrance. It only holds a couple of bikes and it’s not protected from the elements, but at least it’s near the front door! No bike parking in the parking garage–you could also try to use one of the decorative fences, but that might spoil the ambiance.

[guga31bb]

Perfect, thanks!

[TwoWheelsDC]

@Dickie 68581 wrote:

OK, I’ll bite…. do you have suggestions oh wise “mega watt” one? If it involves cash you didn’t read my “can’t afford soup” line correctly did you?

I tweeted District Taco about their lack of bike parking and they tweeted back and said they’d order some racks. Time will tell if they follow through, but even something as minor as a tweet can get a positive response.

[dasgeh]

I clip my helmet onto my bag (instead of locking it with my bike) when I go into a store, to make the “I biked here” statement. When I’m especially annoyed by bike parking, I’ll mention it to the people I see working there. I’ve even asked to see the manager at Whole Foods about it.

Alone, I obviously have not solved the problem, but there are strength in numbers. It’s not hard to mention to the check out person “I biked here. It’s a beautiful day for it. Unfortunately, your bike parking isn’t good enough. Can you mention that to your manager?” I get the best reaction when I’m nice about it and recognize that it’s not the fault of the person I’m talking to.

[Tim Kelley]

The Whole Foods social media folks aren’t particularly responsive either.

July 30, 2013

July 29, 2013

April 4, 2013

No response at all…anyone else care to try?

[thucydides]

@Tim Kelley 68590 wrote:

Looks like the anchor tags got screwed up.

But scroll down, here’s the update:

Updated February, 2013 via Chris S.: There is now a single wave rack installed to the left of the main entrance. It only holds a couple of bikes and it’s not protected from the elements, but at least it’s near the front door! No bike parking in the parking garage–you could also try to use one of the decorative fences, but that might spoil the ambiance.

There’s one in the garage as well. I posted picture of both at the end of this thread.

[Guus]

I may be mistaken, but in front of the entrance at Whole Foods in Clarendon there are metal barriers (bolted to the ground) that are perfect for bike parking. I always assumed they were meant for that — are they not? I always use them and I’ve seen many other people do so.

[Tim Kelley]

@Guus 68602 wrote:

I may be mistaken, but in front of the entrance at Whole Foods in Clarendon there are metal barriers (bolted to the ground) that are perfect for bike parking. I always assumed they were meant for that — are they not? I always use them and I’ve seen many other people do so.

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Those aren’t officially bike parking–they’re likely there as just simple barriers. There isn’t really enough space to lock up a bike on either side and then still have room for people to maneuver along the sidewalk with shopping carts or pass through the barriers to the parking lots.

[bobco85]

@Guus 68602 wrote:

I may be mistaken, but in front of the entrance at Whole Foods in Clarendon there are metal barriers (bolted to the ground) that are perfect for bike parking. I always assumed they were meant for that — are they not? I always use them and I’ve seen many other people do so.

I think they’re there so that shopping carts don’t roll out into the street/parking lot.

[Author]

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