Bikes, bikes, bikes
I can't believe there is no thread for the greatest ever invention in personal transport - the bicycle.
Well, there is now. :) To start things off, some absolutely sweet bike racks in Toronto. Let's get these bad boys in Hamilton! Anyone know someone in that cycling committee?? http://www.jamesstreetnorth.ca/blog/?p=207 |
i love my bycle :D anyhow
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Park your bike downtown, worry-free
June 05, 2008 The Hamilton Spectator Commuters now have a safe haven from bike thieves. The city will unveil Hamilton's first secure bicycle parking facility downtown today. The lot, which can hold 40 bikes, was paid for by funding from Metrolinx. The facility is on the first floor of the York Boulevard parkade. Users must buy a $40 permit. A second bicycle lot is in the works for the Convention Centre. It is expected to open by late summer. Metrolinx has given $160,000 to Hamilton for bike-related initiatives, including bike racks on all city buses. The new facility will open today at noon following a short event as part of Commuter Challenge week. Tomorrow is national ride your bike to work day. For more information on the week's biking events visit commuterchallenge.ca |
I saw this last weekend at the parkade. I wasn't sure what it was...looks more like a maintenance storage cage.
At any rate, good news. I know I can't get ahead of myself and expect top notch bike facilities like you see in Europe. The fact that we're getting two (even if they look like maintenance cages) is a good step forward. |
They are the same at McMaster. A grey box with a lock.
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A good start, though I'm a little disappointed in the price point. I think that will be a big limiter to wide scale adoption.
Perhaps it will appeal more to people riding to work during the week then someone like me who would mostly ride to the Farmer's Market on Saturdays. At a cost of $40 x 2 for securing our bikes, my wife and I may as well stick with our HSR passes........ :( |
I think these bike storage is more for people that work in the downtown core (more specifically City Centre and City Hall) that commute by bike.
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Would anyone be willing to swing by and take a photo or two of the facility for the benefit of ex-Hamiltonians like me? |
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It's not going to promote people coming downtown by bike for recreational pursuits, i.e. Farmer's Market, lunch at a cafe, shopping, etc., and that's a crime. |
Another press release: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/a.../05/c8832.html
Cycling to Downtown Hamilton just got easier City of Hamilton and Metrolinx open the city's first secure bicycle parking facility HAMILTON, ON, June 5 /CNW/ - As part of an ongoing commitment to promote sustainable transportation options in Hamilton, the Public Works Department, together with Metrolinx, officially opened Hamilton's first secure bicycle parking facility today. Mayor Eisenberger, Councillors Bratina and McHattie, Public Works General Manager Scott Stewart and representatives from the SmartCommute Initiative were joined by City staff and cycling enthusiasts at the event today. The 12-foot by 20-foot lot located on the first floor of the York Boulevard parkade downtown can accommodate over 40 bicycles and provides a safe and convenient facility for cycling commuters to store their bikes. Opening this new bicycle parking facility is a great step in the right direction for a cleaner and greener Hamilton," said Mayor Fred Eisenberger. "It is another way to encourage Hamiltonians to make transportation choices that are sustainable and healthy. I'm confident this new facility will be used and enjoyed by many of our own City staff, as well as other downtown businesses, Farmer's Market and Central Public Library customers." A second bicycle parking facility is being planned for the Convention Centre parking lot. It is expected to be open for public use by late summer 2008. Based on a preliminary review of land uses and cycling infrastructure, it is anticipated that other secure bike parking facilities will be most beneficial at transit hubs, shopping centres, educational facilities and employment centres. "We've been proactive in promoting sustainable transportation options in Hamilton by installing bicycle racks on all our buses, enhancing and expanding bicycle lanes on city streets, purchasing new hybrid buses to add to our growing transit fleet and actively exploring rapid transit options for Hamilton," said Scott Stewart, General Manager of Hamilton's Public Works Department. "We've been very fortunate to have received funding from Metrolinx to help bring these sustainable ideas to reality." The City of Hamilton received over $160,000 in funding from Metrolinx to be used to provide secure bicycle parking as part of the Metrolinx Bikelinx program. Other Metrolinx funding dollars were used to install more bicycle racks on city buses. "At Metrolinx, we believe that active transportation is the most sustainable way to get around," said Chair Rob MacIsaac. "By getting more people to cycle, we are promoting a cleaner environment, a healthier population, and more efficient use of expensive public infrastructure." The new parking facility is now open for public use. Permits can be purchased for $40 for the remainder of 2008. Cyclists can purchase a permit by calling 905-546-2424, ext. 1473. The new facility appropriately opens to the public during National Commuter Challenge week, just in time for National 'Bike to Work Day' tomorrow. |
They could really encourage cycling if you could just give the parking attendant a loonie to park your bike whenever you want without having to call and buy a permit.
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That would open the system to many more occasional, and recreational bicyclists, especially on weekends when I expect the lot will be pretty much empty for much of the day. One thing I haven't seen is any mention of the hours of operation. |
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I'm going to have to check this thing out myself. I just can't seem to visualize it properly. |
I think I have a picture of the bike storage somewhere on my computer.
Just picture a grey plastic box that has a key slot. You roll your bike inside and lock the door. |
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yea, like an old WWF cagematch.
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The bike storage was on CH News. It's a cage and you hang your bike up from the front wheel. They should build one of these at the GO Station as well. Once the new downtown transit terminal is built they should do the same.
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There's already a ton of bike lock things at the GO station under video surveillance that don't really seem to get used too often.
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Yeah, from the article I was picturing a caged area. What I am struggling to visualize is how it will be secured.
SteelTown, I know the ones you are talking about they have them at Metro Hall in Toronto. |
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