Idea: Covered bike racks

[Sal Atticum]

I just wanted to toss this out there.  People let their bikes get trashed by leaving them out in the snow and the rain; the obvious step for UND to take to encourage cycling throughout the year is to invest in some structures that will cover the bike racks and keep at least some of the snow and rain out (perhaps with two fixed walls). By the dorms and apartments would probably be the best place.

What does everyone else think?

[Mario]

Phenomenal idea!

[Toaster]

I think it's a brilliant idea. I think that it is only fair with the amount of spending that has gone to automobile infrastructure.  What about those of us who use our bikes as our primary transportation. We are helping the situation on campus by reducing traffic congestion, reducing parking congestion, reducing wear and tear on roads, and what do we have to show for it? Overcrowded bike racks, a campus police department who drives/parks in the bike lanes and can't return emails to concerned cyclists and pedestrians, and drivers who are intolerant of as well as aggressive towards cyclists. Given these things, asking for simple amenities that make bike commuting more safe and enjoyable, especially in the inclement weather that we routinely experience in Grand Forks, isn't asking that much.

Those things having been said, good luck convincing anybody on campus besides cyclists that money should be spent on cycling infrastructure. If anybody wants to start a project of some kind I would love to help in any way possible.

[nathan.barten]

I'm on board.  I love this grass roots advocacy stuff.  Rock on fellas.

[Plantains]

I feel like they would get blown over by the wind.

I would still lug my bikes up to the 3rd floor with or without a covered rack.

I assume that most people who are leaving their whips locked up outside over night probably don't care enough to notice if their bike is covered or not.

[Sal Atticum]

Well, I think the idea would be to get people to appreciate their bikes more, by making them more accessible.  If the thing isn't rusted solid in May, they may decide to bring it home instead of leaving it behind or tossing it in the coulee.