Comment Options

  1. ElmwoodHeather

    0 ratings12345
    Sep 20th 2007, 15:28

    As a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church, I'm very excited about the addition of a bike rack! We've been going to the church for a year now and I always feel bad locking my bike up against a neighboring tree. This will suit us just fine... next we have to tackle all the glass on the roadways. *My tires can't handle it anymore*

  2. chris69

    0 ratings12345
    Sep 20th 2007, 15:35

    those paving blocks are an example of environment friendly surfaces because rainwater is allowed to soak into the ground supporting the local water table and trees and saving polluting rainwater from being discharged into our rivers though the storm drain.

    there is also something called porous concrete which is strong but porous allowing water to soak thru accomplishing the same thing mentioned above.

    Buffalo and the surrounding suburbs need to embrace these green alternatives to sidewalks and parking lots to protect our cities future!

  3. 42nate

    2 ratings12345
    Sep 20th 2007, 15:42

    Just to clarify, I did the installation as a volunteer church member, not a paid contractor. There is no plan to increase the amount of auto parking on that lot, just to replace existing deteriorated pavement. I certainly want to keep grass to sit on for the summer movies!

  4. 42nate

    0 ratings12345
    Sep 20th 2007, 15:48

    Clarification: 42nate let Vincent use the PC and comment on this page before logging out.

  5. sbrof

    0 ratings12345
    Sep 20th 2007, 16:07

    Good points chris69 and I whole heartedly agree that the city should invest more in these types of paving systems but the porous asphalt which you talk about. Wasn't that developed for southern California? I wonder how it would hold up during the freeze thaw of our winters. For now I think it might be best in the long haul if we pushed for pavers and other types of cobbles that allow rainwater to percolate down instead of asphalt. They tend to last longer and can be pulled up and relaid during construction saving both materials and money in the long run.

    I am glad to see this bike rack, remember that M&T next door also has a bike rack available to use.

    It is also pertinent to mention that if you renovate or put in a new parking lot you must accommodate room for bikes and other modes of transportation to park there. Does anyone know where that actual law can be found? I am not very savvy when it comes to looking up laws.

  6. georgethomasapfel

    0 ratings12345
    Sep 20th 2007, 16:26

    Those appear to be brick pavers, not porous asphalt, since they don't hold water and allow it to pass freely through, the freeze/thaw cycles shouldn't be a problem. Look at the longetivity of Buffalo's brick-paved streets for proof of their durability.

  7. georgethomasapfel

    0 ratings12345
    Sep 20th 2007, 16:33

    -And we are all indeed 42nate to be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor, Vince! Great job!

  8. knowledgedableone

    1 ratings12345
    Sep 20th 2007, 16:50

    Sbrof let me assist you in your search for "The Law" of the land and the accommodations required by the City Charter ยง 307-47.1. Bicycle parking. [Added 5-31-2005, effective 6-10-2005]

    A.Bicycle parking facilities shall be provided for any new building, addition, parking lot or enlargement of an existing building, or any change in the occupancy of any new building that results in the need for additional auto parking facilities.

    B.For proposed nonresidential uses in the Central Business District and all other business districts located within the City of Buffalo, as noted in the current Zoning Ordinance, having off-street parking requirements of 20 spaces or more, a number of off-street bicycle parking spaces shall be provided equal to 5% of the automobile parking space requirement. Subject to approval by the Common Council for the proposed parking areas, the required automobile parking spaces may be reduced at the ratio of one auto space for each six bicycle spaces provided, except that under no circumstances may the required number be reduced by more than five 5%.

    C.The Commissioner of Public Works shall adopt rules and regulations establishing the dimensional and equipment standards for bicycle parking areas on private property along with designated areas in the City right-of-way and specifics as to number of racks in a particular area according to need.

    D.The Department of Public Works shall oversee the allowable use of right-of-way for spaces, along with sufficient separation from motor vehicle parking areas to protect parked bicycles from damage by motor vehicles. This may be accomplished by grade separation, distance or physical barrier, such as curbs, wheel stops or other similar features.

    E.For proposed nonresidential sites having an off-street requirement of 20 spaces or more, a number of off-street bicycle parking spaces shall be provided equal to 5% of the automobile parking space requirement. Each inverted "U" provided would count as two bicycle parking spaces.

    F.Types of bicycle apparatus.

    (1)The inverted U-type bicycle rack:

    (a)Inverted "U" bike racks shall consist of three to five inverted "U"s mounted 30 inches on-center via base plate rails to create a freestanding array. The inverted "U"s shall be made from one-and-one-half-inch eleven-gauge steel tubing bent to measure 33 inches high, 18 inches wide (minimum dimensions) with a gloss back polyester powder coat finish (or approved equal). The rails shall be two-inch-by-one-inch rectangular steel tubing similarly finished with mounting holes and supplied with vandal-resistant concrete anchor mounting hardware for surface installation to existing concrete.

    (b)Each "U" shall be mounted to the rails via vandal resistant or hidden fasteners, which preclude the dismantling of the rack once assembled and installed. In some situations, individual "U"s may be preferable to a base plate array assembly of "U"s installed parallel to and behind the curb in business districts where sidewalk space is limited.

    (2)Individual inverted "U" (non-base array) alternative: Individual "U"s to be surface mounted directly to existing concrete shall have a pair of 63/4 inches by two inches steel base plates (minimum dimensions) with two bolt holes each. (3)Use of alternative noninverted "U" bicycle parking racks: As stated above, the inverted "U" is the first choice for all applications. At the discretion of the City Bicycle and Pedestrian Planner, other bicycle security devices may be approved for use in unusual circumstances. Any such alternate security device submitted for approval must provide for:

    (a)Supporting the bike frame at two locations (not just a wheel);

    (b)Allowing both the frame and at least one wheel to be locked to the rack;

    (c)Allowing the use of either a cable or U-type lock;

    (d)Bicycles which are equipped with water bottle cages;

    (e)Bicycles which are not equipped with kick stands;

    (f)All types and sizes of bicycles, including various types and sizes of frames, wheel sizes and tire widths.

    G.Bicycle parking lockers. Bicycle parking lockers are specifically encouraged for assigned use by employees and bicycle commuters. Bicycle parking capacity provided via lockers will be considered as being in compliance with these rules.

    H.Location of bicycle parking racks. Whenever possible, the racks should be placed within 50 feet of building entrances where bicyclists would naturally transition to pedestrian mode. The rack placement would ideally allow for visual monitoring by people within the building and/or people entering the building. The placement of the racks should minimize conflicts with both pedestrians and motorized traffic. All bicycle parking provided should be on concrete and located a minimum of 24 inches from a parallel wall and 30 inches from a perpendicular wall (as measured to the closest inverted). Sufficient space, to be a minimum of 24 inches, shall be provided beside each parked bicycle to allow access."

  9. al-alo

    1 ratings12345
    Sep 20th 2007, 18:16

    cant. . .help. . .making. . .terrible. . .joke. . .

    that is a nice rack!

    aaaa. sorry, i couldnt help myself

  10. sbrof

    0 ratings12345
    Sep 21st 2007, 08:41

    i always amazes me how specific these laws go that we cant trust someone to put up a functioning bike rack. Instead we need to spell out he type, material, function and placement of such racks. I am glad they have this law and I understand the need to create a law that will actually do what it is supposed to because if you didn't prescript a result then people would find loopholes and say that a garbage can is a functional bike rack. It is just my designer background that says... What If I want something different than the inverted "U."

  11. xener

    0 ratings12345
    Sep 21st 2007, 09:38

    Knowledgableone: Thanks for the news!

    *Parking* my bike is becoming easier... Now if *riding* it in the city would be so (and safe)! Just about got smashed yesterday riding home from work, by some idiot driver in a silver Porche who clearly didn't read the traffic signs *NO TURN ON RED* coming from the East on Delevan. He nearly ran over me on my bike, and two kids exiting Forest Lawn. That corner of Delaware and Delevan is HELL for bicyclists. --And I can't tell you how many times I've seen cars driving in the supposed bike lane on Richmond. We need more cops to keep drivers to the traffic laws.

  12. crosbydee

    0 ratings12345
    Sep 21st 2007, 11:42

    xener we also need to make sure bicyclists understand the traffic laws...bikes need to ride with traffic, and stay off the sidewalks...i understand that most of us know this but those who dont are just as dangersous as the crazy porsche

  13. sbrof

    0 ratings12345
    Sep 21st 2007, 11:59

    I think there is a little difference between a bicyclist not following the laws and a driver. Bikes at most will dent a car, or break a bone. Cars kill people. While both are to blame, until drivers get their act together and start paying more attention to other things besides cars, then no one will feel safe in the streets.

  14. champ

    0 ratings12345
    Sep 21st 2007, 15:21

    i hit people dot com