@trouble asks about bike parking racks:
Q4. Can you show show me 2 pictures? One of the best and one of the worst bike racks you've ever encountered.
Despite seeing lots of these, there's always something new!
#BikeNiteQ #BikeNite #BikeTooter #Cycling #MastoBikes cc @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.
@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 @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.
Phil (ascentale)
Megan Lynch (she/her)