[bike_psob] Bike parking, PSOB

Thu Sep 24 12:28:55 PDT 2009

Yes, I agree the main issue is lack of adequate secure/weatherproof parking. Dividing the bicyclists in the building, so we are fighting over parking, is definitely not what we need. People here, including myself, Andrew Osborn and Juanita Heimann, have in the past tried to work with building management and with DAS in Salem to improve things- but even though the reasons change, now they say its lack of budget, the outcome is the same- nothing happens.

Part of the problem is that while the building is locally under the direction of the building manager, Barry Jones, the parking structure is under the control of DAS in Salem. So even if Barry wants to help us, he is limited in what he can do with the garage. In the past, the Salem parking lot folks appeared to have absolutely no interest in bike issues- their concern was with parking cars and space revenue. Hopefully with Linda Penick this will change, though I'm not holding my breath.  

Technically the cage downstairs has been oversold for a substantial period- though it does appear to have empty spaces on most days.

And while we've known about funding sources in the past, the barrier has always been getting DAS to give us any space. So even if you can write a grant, that isnt likely to go anywhere without authority and DAS commitment.  

Some of the options that have been considered in the past included;
a. Adding another cage, covered, outside;
b. 'Buying' out a car space to put in racks;
c. On deeper car spaces, bumping out the car a few feet, putting in a small  concrete curb, and adding a floor rack
d. Getting rid of lockers and recycling by the elevator
e. Asking bldg management to reorganize their use of space at the end of bldg to free floor space for racks
f. Taking out the cage walls, so more floor space is available for racks
g. Taking out the repair stand to add floor racks.
h. Allowing cyclists with special needs, or when the racks are full, to bring their bikes up to their floors.

Andrew and I surveyed building cyclists a few years ago, and what we found was that people wanted floor racks, not more wall racks. People also thought secure, weatherproof parking was more important than easy access. We passed all this on to DAS.

We pretty much have been stonewalled on all of these by DAS, and the only good thing in the last few years is that Barry added more outside racks, and removed the old 'smoking bench' by the elevators for a floor rack- (the area we are arguing about).   

Also for those who haven't heard this- an argument from DAS against bikes in the building, such as when racks are full, was always that the fire marshal wouldn't allow it. I talked to the fire marshal about this-his issue with only with bicycles being left in corridors/hallways, and posing a hindrance to a rapid exit. He had no issues at all with bikes in cubicles or out of the way storage on the floors.

I agree that everyone who has an issue with the wall racks, and physical limitations, should go en-mass to Barry and demand action- though the point shouldn't be to demand that the few racks we have be set aside, but should be that we need a lot more floor racks.

Though I also think that until those up the food chain, either here or at DAS, are committed to solving the problem we'll get half-answers at best. Maybe a dozen of us should chain our bikes to Mel's car......... 

The best image I have of the whole process over time would be Sisyphus on a bike.....

Steve 

>>> "PSOB BikeCommittee" <psob.bikecommittee at state.or.us> 9/24/2009 11:34 AM >>>
If the Bike Committee knew the route to more and better bike parking, we would have traveled it long ago. There is definitely cost involved in any improvements, and we are all aware of the financial straits the State is in. If anyone wants to write a grant, perhaps we could get more lollipop racks in the parking lot and put them under cover, too. Find a potential grantor, and I'll be more than happy to help write a grant proposal.

Marsha Hanchrow
for PSOB Bike Committee

>>> "CROCKER Susan" <susan.crocker at state.or.us> 9/24/2009 11:08 AM >>>
      Sabrina,   

      Thanks very much for following up on this.   

      I agree lack of parking is the underlying issue, and I m glad to know the locked area is short of space as well, as I was just about to try and rent a space there today.    

      Perhaps, if we brought up the issue of persons not able to use the hanging racks due to physical limitations we would get some action (honest, I m not the only one! I ve been down there when several of us were frustrated, and personally, I just spent four months   off work recovering from a herniated disk). I should think when it came to providing handicapped access DAS would have some sort of obligation.    

      Also, of course, is the incentive to keep Oregon green.         

      Hopefully, a solution beneficial to all of us can be resolved. Would it help to send emails directly to Linda Penick?   

      Thanks again,   

      Susan   

        -----Original Message----- 
    From:     PSOB BikeCommittee   [mailto:psob.bikecommittee at state.or.us]  
    Sent:            Thursday,     September 24, 2009                10:40 AM         
    To:       bike_psob at listsmart.osl.state.or.us; PENICK Linda; GILMAN Matt S; FREEWYNN   Sabrina L; Susan Crocker 
    Subject:     Re: Bike parking, PSOB   

      Linda Penick, with DAS in Salem, has the fortune or misfortune to be responsible for parking.  

  >  >  >   " Sabrina L FREEWYNN "      < sabrina.l.freewynn at state.or.us >  9/24/2009        10:16 AM          >  >  >    

        The   underlying issue here is that, despite recent additions, there is still not enough covered, secure bike parking to satisfy the demand. (What a wonderful dilemma to have!) This will likely relieve just a bit as we move in to winter. But, last winter there was continued high usage of bike parking here.    

          How do we request additional bike parking? Who needs to hear from us and how do we contact them?   

          Thanks,   

          Sabrina 

  >  >  >   " Matt S GILMAN "   < matt.s.gilman at state.or.us >    9/24/2009        9:43 AM          >  >  >    
          Like Steve, I   also have a bike I have invested a lot of money in. Therefore, I have made the choice to pay for the bike locker. However, there have been occasions where the spots in the locker and on the wall are taken. Although rare, they do occur.   Under those circumstances, using the floor mounted racks is the only option.                   

          In addition   to parking in the garage, new floor racks were installed last summer near   the SW corner of the building. To my knowledge, those racks are under security   surveillance.                  

          I hope that   we can all continue to use common sense and courtesy.   

          Matt 

                  Steve, et al.     

        Sorry, if my opinion is incorrect; but there are signs posted that those spaces are reserved for persons who are unable to lift their bikes.     

        And truly, my message was intended as a friendly reminder; your suggestion that I pay for parking for your $4000 bike is    unkind.   

        Susan   

  Hey all, 

  In follow up to Susan's note, I agree that this is a polite way to deal with each other, but that the reality of bike parking here makes its hard. Remember that this is her opinion, and that there is no official DAS/DHS policy    with regard to this. The issue is that we do not have sufficient 'secure'  bike parking in the garage. Also the hanging racks downstairs are of very poor design - it is hard to hang two bikes on one without banging them together. I had my bike banged hard last year on one by another bike- I left    the building without noticing that my rear derailleur had been hit and    knocked a little askew- just enough that later the chain caught, the derailleur twisted into my back wheel and I crashed.   I have a 25-30 mile round trip commute so I ride a nice bike, worth $3,000 to $4,000 - until the issue of the bad hanging racks is resolved, I'm very reluctant to put it on one again.  

  Also if Susan or someone else wants to pay the fees for the bike cage, fine -but I dont feel it is fair to force anyone to have to pay for bike parking.    

  Thanks 

  Steve Robison 

  This is a friendly reminder that certain racks are reserved for people with physical limitations which prevent them from using the hanging racks. These are like handicapped parking places; if you park there, the person who really needs and is entitled to that spot has no option. 
  If you are concerned about the safety of your bike on the hanging racks,  please consider using the locked bicycle parking room.  
  Thanks. 

  ****************************************   

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