The New NYC Bike Rack
It’s official. And it’s a nice looking bike rack. Simple. Effective. As long as the whole thing remains firmly rooted in the ground.
And here’s a pdf glossy promo.
And it is probably the best of the finalists.
But I still don’t see why it’s better than a parking meter. Or why they don’t simply attach the circle to street light posts like they do in Sydney. Ideally every street light post.
For all the hype, the most important thing is that there is a place to lock your bike on every block. 5,000 bike racks in the next three years isn’t enough. Especially if it’s combined with the removal of more than 5,000 parking meters.
4 Responses
It can’t beat a signpost or a parking meter for versatility. Plus I’d like to see a solution to the problem of too many bikes. The parking meters and signposts by the ditmars train stop are always full. One of these could hold maybe two bikes.
What I wonder is _what metal_ it’s out of. At least one of the finalists was out of aluminum, which unless it’s anodized just wouldn’t be hard enough. Also, in the proposal, it’s flush with the ground more, which I like better, but there’s always a design/execution disconnect.
if anybody is interested I submitted a design that is essentially a system of beautifully simple, and potentially iconic “rings” which includes solutions toward enhancing the security of may objects currently in the urban infrastructure, including parking meters, signposts, fences.
The finalists for this competition left a lot to be desired, in my opinion. If there is interest in my design, I’ll forward a pdf.
Please do send me the file. I’d love to post it. mail@astoriabike.com.