@ascentale @bikenite @ucaccessnow A4, cont'd: What could be improved: The racks need to be installed farther apart so that two fat riders of two trikes with panniers attached could be locking up at the same time without rubbing up on one another. The rack installation could also use a shelter from sun and rain (it doesn't really snow at that location, but for places with snow, the shelter needs to be designed for snow as well).

Another improvement would be having an accessible cycle tool installation, water fountain, accessible map of cycle routes nearby, and safe & accessible e-cycle charging infrastructure.

#CycleParkingAudit #UCAccessNow #BikeNite

@ascentale @bikenite @ucaccessnow A4. cont'd. They went on to ban e-cycles and e-scooters from inside buildings, even if they are folding. So having accessible safe and sheltered racks is even more important, but they largely resisted UC Access Now's rack initiative and buried credit when they did make some of the changes we suggested in a "pilot program".

Despite this, organizations like League of American Bicyclists continue to give UC Davis a "platinum bike-friendly" rating, allowing them to sweep any criticism under that award.

Below is a photo of a one of the "pilot projects" they did without ever consulting us to catch problems in the design. It's an improvement, but needs more. And is rationed out - which means abled cyclists who don't need the room often take it because - SURPRISE - it's better parking than the default. #CycleParkingAudit #UCAccessNow #BikeNite

@ascentale @[email protected] @bikenite A4. I have made a study of cycle racks for about 15 years now. I have hundreds & hundreds of photos of the good, the bad, and the ugly. So many it's hard to find the best and the worst without dedicating more time to going through things than I have today. I have not found the perfect cycle rack anywhere. I would add that there are also racks on buses, trains, trams, etc. that should also be addressed as the accessibility problem is even worse than street parking.

So I'm going to show the rack that ruined my health and was the final straw that made me start @ucaccessnow UC Davis rules threaten ticketing and impounding if your cycle is NOT parked at their inaccessible racks. Despite this, they keep getting "bike friendly" awards that allow them to resist activism for accessible and safer cycling infrastructure.

Upright cyclist later shoved in and broke my bike.

#CycleParkingAudit #BikeNite #Cycling #UCAccessNow

@ascentale @bobjonkman @bikenite A2 cont'd. My impression is that in the high cycle theft cities, brute force is still the most common attack, despite the fact that lockpicking sport seems to be skyrocketing in the US. Portable angle grinders are the tool of choice AND in the UK and US, the thieves also use the tool as a weapon to threaten any passers-by or cycle owners who are trying to stop them from stealing.

So I focus on choosing something angle grinder resistant and I also choose more than one kind of lock/layers of security so if someone generally uses one tool, there's still another lock that would require a different tool to break. Having more than one kind (U-lock, chain, etc) also gives flexibility in what one is capable of locking up to and how. #BikeNite #CycleParkingAudit #UCAccessNow

@ascentale @bobjonkman @bikenite A2. I think there's not a one size fits all recommendation. Depends on the bike frame geometry, what the cycle rack or other infrastructure you'd lock to where you're using it, your physical capabilities, and your resources for replacing the cycle should it get stolen.

For me, this meant getting very heavy Kryptonite and other motorcycle and construction equipment chains because I could not easily afford to replace my rides and because it is harder for someone with a portable angle grinder to manage holding the chain safely while cutting it. Because of inaccessible racks, I needed a LOT of meters of chain to have flexibility. It was heavy as shit and inconvenient, but less inconvenient than my ride being stolen.

I watched Lockpicking Lawyer videos and cycle vlogger videos to decide what to do & which brand/models to trust. Recently I came across this site as well:

https://www.bikelockwiki.com/ #BikeNite #CycleParkingAudit #UCAccessNow

@ericsfraga @va2lam Agreed. It's not that it's guaranteed. It's just that if we *don't* speak up, it's guaranteed they'll think it's not an issue.

But the more of us speak up, the more we make them aware. #CycleParkingAudit #BikeTooter #Cycling

You may not follow me, so you may not know that I'm a big proponent of political action on cycle issues. I am.

Join your local cycle coalition. Here's a list for the US: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Cycling_organizations_in_the_United_States

Form a cycle coalition if you don't have one local to you. Look at your local politics and watch out for when car-centric things get on the agenda. And show up whenever to make sure sustainable & accessible transportation (including cycling) issues get on the agenda. Make public comment, write in.

But I mention consumer power because most cyclists I know completely ignore this bit, assuming it's useless. At the very least, it lets businesses know they have cycling customers who find them wanting. #BikeTooter #CycleParkingAudit