Bike Parking

[CPTJohnC]

Okay, I shouldn’t really complain, but:

This morning when I arrived at work, I was greeted in the lobby by one of the bldg manager folks, who informed me that henceforth, I would not be able to take my bike in through the lobby because they had put a bike rack in the garage (which previously had none).

“Okay”, says I, and he was kind enough to accompany me down to see said rack. It is actually a pretty nice one, not an old school wheel bender, but it has space to lock 6 or at best 7 bikes. For a 12 story bldg. I know I’m not the only bike commuter, and I doubt there are only 6 or 7 of us esp. during nice weather.

The good news? He said I could continue to bring the bike up to the office if the rack is full (just not through the lobby). Could be worse, for sure.

Topic

[CPTJohnC]

@eminva 32723 wrote:

…leave a note on the bike. Most of the cyclists parking there work for my company, though.

Liz: That was going to be my suggestion; to the extent that you can identify the bikes that are not your co-workers, might as well try, right?

I suppose it is also worth determining when the bldg was built, because per the bike parking guidelines, that matters. It appears that a bldg existing as of March 1 1985, bike parking remains optional (‘…may convert…’). It is pretty clear to me that the parking installed in my garage does not meet the guidelines (in terms of space around the rack, space per bike, etc… for more than 4-5 bikes. And of course, this morning, I arrived to find this:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1781[/ATTACH]

I considered moving my bike to the other side of the rack just to discourage this guy… I might still do so at lunchtime.

I suppose, though, I can’t really complain at all, yet: So far I’m the only one using the rack. (The sharp-eyed will note that I rode a different bike today – I decided I want to test this all out with the beater before I risk my ‘real’ commuter to the wilds of the garage).

–Chris

[elbows]

Does anyone know whether 1% or 5% applies when the building was gutted for a complete overhaul (to be become LEED certified no less)? Thanks.

[dbb]

I just sent a note to DDOT. Generally, when more than 50% of the building is replaced (value not mass), the new building codes kick in. Not sure if that is the case with zoning issues in DC. Will post response from DDOT when it arrives.

[Terpfan]

The problem in my building is the gate closes at 7pm so if you’re not out before then you’re taking the elevator to exit through the main lobby door. They don’t want you to take the regular elevators, but I have asked the security guards where the freight elevator entrance is in the garage and they have no idea. Even when I tried riding down, the one I took is different from the one going to the garage because it didn’t go down far enough. Oh well, they have only said something once or twice and usually don’t care. The parking they do provide though is actually a huge space relative to how many folks use it–sometimes I even have a full rack to myself.

[Bill Hole]

What I like are the buildings that install their bike racks in the garage, and then post signs at the garage entrance saying “NO BICYCLES ALLOWED”. My current work site is a fine example of this.

[dasgeh]

@Terpfan 33011 wrote:

The problem in my building is the gate closes at 7pm so if you’re not out before then you’re taking the elevator to exit through the main lobby door. They don’t want you to take the regular elevators, but I have asked the security guards where the freight elevator entrance is in the garage and they have no idea. Even when I tried riding down, the one I took is different from the one going to the garage because it didn’t go down far enough. Oh well, they have only said something once or twice and usually don’t care. The parking they do provide though is actually a huge space relative to how many folks use it–sometimes I even have a full rack to myself.

My husband’s old office was like this. The rule (at least in practice) was that bikes were allowed on the normal elevators when the gate is closed. So he’d usually go into the garage like cars, park for the day and work, then take the bike out the main lobby/entrance and bike home after hours.

[CPTJohnC]

@Bill Hole 33019 wrote:

What I like are the buildings that install their bike racks in the garage, and then post signs at the garage entrance saying “NO BICYCLES ALLOWED”. My current work site is a fine example of this.

I think the goal of these signs is mostly to avoid bikes who want to do some stunting in the garage, but I’m also confident that they believe they’re going to avoid liability in the event a cyclist is hurt in the garage. Of course, the presence of a bike rack should eliminate any defense the sign might provide.

One of the worst things I’ve confronted are the security gates that don’t really work for cyclists. I have to go around the gate at one of my employer’s other locations, but its a big, heavy security barrier, not just a simple parking lot gate.

[Terpfan]

@dasgeh 33026 wrote:

My husband’s old office was like this. The rule (at least in practice) was that bikes were allowed on the normal elevators when the gate is closed. So he’d usually go into the garage like cars, park for the day and work, then take the bike out the main lobby/entrance and bike home after hours.

Yep, that’s basically exactly how it seems to go here. One thing I did notice today is that the racks aren’t bolted down. But, they’re sort of inaccessible during the day as cars park in front of them.

[CPTJohnC]

So, this is what I met this morning when I arrived. So far I’ve only shared with one other bicycle. Am I being too passive aggressive by parking close to the motorcycle instead of just parking at the far side of the rack?

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1858[/ATTACH]

[ShawnoftheDread]

@CPTJohnC 33654 wrote:

So, this is what I met this morning when I arrived. So far I’ve only shared with one other bicycle. Am I being too passive aggressive by parking close to the motorcycle instead of just parking at the far side of the rack?

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1858[/ATTACH]

If it were a cool motorcycle, yes. That one: no.

[eminva]

@CPTJohnC 33654 wrote:

So, this is what I met this morning when I arrived. So far I’ve only shared with one other bicycle. Am I being too passive aggressive by parking close to the motorcycle instead of just parking at the far side of the rack?

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1858[/ATTACH]

The sign on the wall says “Motorcycle Parking Only” — ! That is one confused arrangement.

Liz

[CPTJohnC]

@eminva 33675 wrote:

The sign on the wall says “Motorcycle Parking Only” — ! That is one confused arrangement.

That was actually the first thing I noticed when the bldg super took me down to show me the space. However, this was the first day that a motorcycle used the spot (2 different ones, actually — the other guy was polite enough to park farther forward allowing access to the rack).

@ShawnoftheDread 33655 wrote:

If it were a cool motorcycle, yes. That one: no.

True, I suppose. It should be Italian, red and have desmodromic valve actuation. But I digress.

[Author]

Replies