Bonus Bike Parking Post

Posted By Thomas Bahde on November 22, 2010

This is an update to a previous piece by Robert Leone comparing the bicycle racks at grocery stores and libraries. Thanks to Robert for the bonus coverage!

A Shopping Center Gets Racks Right

Pacific Plaza, a shopping center at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Jewel Street in the Pacific Beach neighborhood, has been upgrading their bike parking racks. I am often dismayed at the unimaginative and sometimes inane racks put up in commercial locations, often in locations that make those racks useless. Pacific Plaza’s owners and staff, on the other hand, seem motivated to do and be better.
Originally, bike parking patrons of Pacific Plaza businesses had one good option: Lock the bikes to a railing. Pacific Plaza countered with notices asking bicycle parking patrons to please use racks. Then they provided a couple of these grid racks. This particular rack is placed too close to the wall for real utility in the center slots. It’s also far away from business entrances.

The grid racks are still in place, but a few months after the grid racks were placed, these more evocative, creative, functional, and playful racks began to appear.

Adding to the fun, these racks are placed close to business entrances. They’re still where they will not interfere with the flow of foot traffic, but they’re closer to where bicycle parking patrons will actually spend their money.