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Disappearing bike racks of downtown Columbus

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Started 1 year ago by hugh59
Latest reply from lifeontwowheels

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hugh59
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The bike rack situation in downtown Columbus near Broad and High keeps getting worse and worse. When I first started working here five years ago, there were dozens of bike racks. Now there are only six. Soon there will be only four.

I ride my bike when it is not raining or snowing and, until this morning, I have been locking it up at a bike rack on Pearl Alley right at Gay Street. This morning, I got to my usual tie-up spot and got an unpleasant surprise. The two bike racks there had duct tape over them and signs on them saying that the racks were going to be removed and that we should use the other bike racks on Gay Street. I went looking and found that there were three racks in front of Cafe Brioso and one in front of Vorys Sater.

I assume that the Pearl Alley bike racks were removed in order to make the area better for the Pearl Alley Market. But this is unnecessary. They could have bike racks AND the market. My bike has been quite happy behind the stalls for the last few years. But this city has better ideas. One parking area for two wheeled vehicles was removed from Lynne Alley so that they could put three dumpsters there. Wow...that's nice.

What is wrong with this city government? Don't they want people to ride bikes and be green?

Posted 1 year ago #
cc

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Obviously this is not an ideal solution, but I am wondering if it is illegal to lock bikes to parking meters in Columbus?

Posted 1 year ago #
roy
Downtown
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hugh59 wrote >>
I have been locking it up at a bike rack on Pearl Alley right at Gay Street.

I believe J Gumbo's negotiated with the City to move the Pearl/Gay bike racks at their own expense so they can expand their outdoor patio. Would've been nice if the new racks had been in place nearby before the old ones were marked off limits.

I read where the SID received a significant amount of public funds to coordinate new bike parking all over downtown. Sheltered bike lockers are part of the new program.

Maybe the SID could post here or on their blog to update those interested?

Posted 1 year ago #
hugh59
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Okay then. I am a little less annoyed. I don't object to a downtown business expanding. I hope they need the space because they are successful. But Roy is 100% right; it WOULD have been nice if the city had installed the new bike racks before removing the old ones.

I just hope the city does not find a way to "allocate" the SID money to some other use.

Posted 1 year ago #
Cookie
Flyntonville
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Is it too late to call someone a fucktard?

Posted 1 year ago #
joev
Merion Village
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Cookie wrote >>
Is it too late to call someone a fucktard?

It's never too late, Cookie.

Posted 1 year ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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hugh59 wrote >>
The bike rack situation in downtown Columbus near Broad and High keeps getting worse and worse. When I first started working here five years ago, there were dozens of bike racks. Now there are only six. Soon there will be only four.

What is wrong with this city government? Don't they want people to ride bikes and be green?

62 New Bike Racks Installed in Past Three Months - October 16, 2008

I'd say the situation has improved for bike parking Downtown in the past five years.

Anyway, yeah, from what I heard J. Gumbo's had to put up quite a fight to get the bike racks relocated to be able to expand their patio. So your angry-at-the-gov question should look more like:

What is wrong with this city government? Don't they want people to eat cajun food outdoors and be not hungry?

;)

Posted 1 year ago #
Cookie
Flyntonville
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Walker wrote >>
What is wrong with these fucktards? Don't they want people to eat cajun food outdoors and be not hungry?
;)

Ah, much better.

Posted 1 year ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Same joke twice in the same thread in one hour... was it supposed to be funnier the second time? Or are you just trying to ruin it as quickly as possible?

Posted 1 year ago #
Cookie
Flyntonville
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Walker wrote >>
Same joke twice in the same thread in one hour... was it supposed to be funnier the second time? Or are you just trying to ruin it as quickly as possible?

But I was told it's never too late. :(

Posted 1 year ago #
drew

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Walker wrote >>
Same joke twice in the same thread in one hour... was it supposed to be funnier the second time? Or are you just trying to ruin it as quickly as possible?

It would seem to be her MO to crap up threads, derail them, or otherwise inflict her unpleasant demeanor on others. I doubt it's possible to find a thread where she's actually said something helpful or suggested something positive...

Posted 1 year ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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hugh59 wrote >>
This morning, I got to my usual tie-up spot and got an unpleasant surprise. The two bike racks there had duct tape over them and signs on them saying that the racks were going to be removed and that we should use the other bike racks on Gay Street.

The sign says relocated, not removed:

Posted 1 year ago #
hugh59
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Serves me right for looking at the sign without my glasses on. I had no real reason to get angry.

I hope they get the relocation done quickly; those specific racks are heavily used. "Scheduled." Hopefully not sometime in 2015.

Posted 1 year ago #
JimL2

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hugh59 wrote >>
I hope they get the relocation done quickly; those specific racks are heavily used. "Scheduled." Hopefully not sometime in 2015.

What? Why would you assume that?

You're still angry and I don't understand why.

Posted 1 year ago #
hugh59
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JimL2 wrote >>

hugh59 wrote >>
I hope they get the relocation done quickly; those specific racks are heavily used. "Scheduled." Hopefully not sometime in 2015.

What? Why would you assume that?
You're still angry and I don't understand why.

Now it is just emotional inertia...plus a little anger at myself. Still, it would have been polite to move the bike racks quickly. I just got back from a walk around the block. J Gumbo is setting up tables around the bike racks. No sign as to when the relocation will take place.

I picked 2015 at random. Big things are supposed to happen for Columbus by then. Oh, my count of bike racks on Gay Street was wrong. There were three others in front of Cafe Brioso that I did not see at 6:40am when I was riding around looking for a place to park. Plus there is one on each side of Gay Street at Third. So, there are 8 total in the area (down from 10). I see a lot of bikes locked up to street signs, parking meters, and other things.

Posted 1 year ago #
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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Don't forget there are 4-8 racks on the Statehouse property. Never had an issue with using them (I've heard varying stories) when I worked there. I always felt the State Trooper with 9mm and German Shepherd offered an extra layer of theft protection.

IIRC, there are several office buildings in and around that area (including either Riffe or Rhoads) that offer bike parking in the garages. Can't remember who exactly but I usually see a few parking permits on the bikes we park for Pedal Instead.

Posted 1 year ago #