The new downtown "Street Art" bicycle racks - how do you use them?

Redmond's new "Street Art Bike Racks" have made their debut! "Ain't she a beauty"?

PART ONE: What is this Street Art? And how is it used?

The city's original pilot rack was placed outside the Library for over a year before the city launched their Bike Rack program big-time this year. This one in front of Redmond Physical Therapy and the original library pilot now have the company of numerous others downtown. Perhaps someday they'll vary the theme with a High-Wheeled bike rack like the Historical Society's Logo or the one pictured in this storefront window; or another design or color?

According to the city, "The rack allows both wheels and frame to be secured using a u-style bike lock, an anti-theft device that is significantly more effective than traditional chain or cable locks. Two to four bikes can easily be locked parallel to the rack, leaving the sidewalk clear for pedestrian traffic." U-Locks can be purchased at Target, Sammamish Valley Cycle and other bicycle retail outlets.

When the city launched Street Art racks I wasn't too surprised no one was using them. (Have you seen a bike hooked up?) Probably a combination of factors limit their use: 1) bicyclists not knowing this green street art has function and 2) the downtown core is hollow designed for pass-though traffic rather than business, residents, pedestrians, and bicyclists, and 3) the price of gas is still too low. In any event, I decided to try the racks out for myself and give you a critical review.

The first two racks I found were near the 80th Street & 164th Street intersection by Victor's Coffee. I hooked my bike up to the first one (right) with a U-lock. It was easy to hook up because I could lean my bike against the street tree.


But soon I realized my bike gears and chain were chaffing the street tree and over time I was concerned the tree could get girdled or diseased.

The other Rack I tested was right on the intersection close to a bus stop by Banner Banka. See below photo. Unfortunately, again another tree was in the way AND flower pots. A time may come (gas is $8/gallon in Europe now) when rack space is hard to find. Obviously, it's unsafe. A far better location for the rack is to the left and right of the bus stop and back a few paces. Bicyclists and pedestrian commuters using the bus would find the Rack more convenient and be safer. I don''t know who in Public Works installed these racks but it's evident beauty and visibility ranked higher than safety, function, and location.

Finally, on the left is a picture of the favorite...."hitching post" at Victor's Coffee on Gilman, across the street from the bus stop. The city could have looked more carefully for location clues when making placement decisions. One may notice the bikes hitched to deck railing partially obstruct the door and could possibly impede passage during an emergency. A great place for a rack is on the sidewalk seen in the foreground. Victor's and three other businesses on Gilman Street are well buffered from arteriole traffic. This is a wonderful "mid-block connector" street. One day it could redevelop and become a vibrant gathering place for pedestrians and bikes. Gilman Street is a great place for bike racks!

This is the only "hitching post" I found on Gilman Street. "Redmond Vacuum," a basket store, re-sale maternity and children clothing store are just down the street. With 7000 people expected to be living in downtown Redmond in the next 10 or so years, Gilman Street could someday be a core asset for revitalizing our downtown. I'd like to be a property owner here!

Guidance on how bicycle funds are spent in Redmond is provided by the Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee. -- dedicated citizen volunteers.

Redmond's excellent & undiscovered "Bike-Ped" web site on bicycle resources is HERE.

PART TWO: a critique of the Bike Rack review process:

During their 10/8/07 committee meeting, the Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee conducted a final review of the bike racks, according to the 10/8 Minutes on record. The Minutes show Staff made the decision to implement the "bike bike rack" program on a larger scale in 2008. The Arts Commission was not included in the formal decision-making process. The actual installation and larger implementation of the program took place at the beginning of Mr. Mayor's term.

The Ped-Bike Citizen Advisory Committee's final decision to "go ahead" with the project city-wide was made after an on-site visit with staff to the library pilot rack. Specific site visits to planned placement locations may have been left up to the Public Works staff. On-site visits by the Advisory Committee were not recorded in the 9/10/07 Minutes./p>

The "Bike Bike Street Art" Public Works project is under the guidance of the Ped-Bike Citizen Advisory Committee and management by the city transportation staff. So far, the only time the public has directly been engaged in this project was during the Ives Administration via 1) a press release survey when the pilot project was announced, 2) by a city website survey, and 3) citizens driving or walking by the library Pilot rack.

CONCLUSION: On-site vetting and observation by staff , advisory committees and commissions is recommended especially during the implementation of a project, however small in scope. Urban design and implementation decisions are lasting and deserve on-site scrutiny. The downtown rack project can be improved with better rack placements, a press release and public education. The project has merit and motivates us to think about our urban design and the importance of on-site vetting. These are my opinions; your comments are always welcome.

My first 11/07 story with comments is: "Redmond's new hybrid bike - bike rack or street ornament?" and it can be found by clicking on this link and then scrolling down or clicking on the title of this story and scrolling.

Bike rack made by Dero