Bike News - Blue Bikes, Dream Bikes, and Bike Rings
In preparation for tomorrow evening's bike ring fundraiser, two bike rings were installed today. The first ring was affixed to a parking meter pole outside of Steel Crazy Cafe at the corner of Elmwood and Allen. This design (there are two total) is of a silhouette of a buffalo. The ring was securely bolted, then the threads were stripped to permanently attach the locking feature to the pole. Once the funds are collected at the fundraiser (tomorrow at 5:30), the rest of the rings (made by Atlas Steel) will be ordered. The poles with bike locking rings will also be capped.
The second ring design was bolted to a parking meter pole outside of Campieri's 888 (Main Street) just in time for Thursday's big event. This second design is the Blue Bike logo (painted blue of course). On hand for the second installation were Justin Booth (Blue Bikes bike sharing cooperative) and Mark Sirek of Dream Bikes (bottom left).
Dream Bikes is an affiliate of Trek bikes and Mark is in town as a guest of Justin's. The two are canvassing the city looking for potential locations for a non-profit bike shop that would train low income youth how to repair bikes. The program is also designed to provide low income families (especially younger family members) with bikes. If the program did set up shop in Buffalo, the impact would be enormous. Not only does the initiative offer skill-sets to those less fortunate, efforts in other cities have proven to positively impact entire communities. Dream Bikes works in conjunction with local Boys and Girls Clubs and employs participants in a Job Ready program.
Of course, by this time we all know how important a healthy biking community is... but in order to get to where we need to be, we must gain continued support from The City (State and Federal), local private enterprises, and the community. It won't be long before the bike rings are a common sight throughout Buffalo. Let's hope that the team from Dream Bikes can find what they are looking for here - the program (and the corporate Trek presence) would be a welcome addition to Buffalo.
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MEC
Just in time for peak Bike Riding Season!!!!
I will look forward to the spring though....
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Hoss
Cool. Though the Blue ring doesn't look like it would handle a beefy chain. Perhaps it's just the perspective...
Are the rings just bolted on? Is anything preventing some opportunistic hoodlum with a 12mm socket from taking the ring and whatever is locked to it?
I'll guess I'll go find one to check out later tonight or tomorrow...
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whynot
I give them 2 weeks before someone slaps a sticker in the middle of the buffalo or spray paints their band name on it.
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dagner
The prototype bike rings should be tested in high-use locations for a few weeks before more are ordered. Hoss raises good questions.
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bsnack
If the threads are stripped when installed, the rings should be pretty much theft proof. And if a person is walking around with a wrench, there's really nothing to stop them from stealing all the components off your locked bike anyway.
And a whole lot of people actually do ride their bikes outside the months of June to August, so thanks Justin and others for seeing this project through.
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dagner
Usability testing can reveal issues no one forsees. It can't hurt to test the bike rings out and it could prevent problems.
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Joshua
They appear to be about 1/4 inch thick. Sometimes pictures have a deficiency to display depth, but they look pretty thick. Also, so as not to scratch up the Buffalo rings use a plastic coated or wrapped chain.
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jsk1983
Actually you shouldn't be using a chain at all. Unfortunately in this day and age one should really be using a U-Lock as chains can be easily cut through. I say this because I had my bike stolen when locked with a chain/cable type lock. This was in broad daylight in what I'd consider a safe area with people around. Now this was in Chicago and I'm not sure if bike thiefs are as agressive in Buffalo.
From looking at the picture I'm not sure how easy these would be to use especially if one is using a U-Lock and locking a tire and the frame.
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Joshua
@jsk1983 - good thought.
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dagner
Repeating: so TEST THE DESIGN. In real use. By a wide variety of bikes, locking mechanisms, people, etc.
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Hoss
I guess you never used a Kryptonite NY Chain jsk1983. Not the vinyl covered cable or chain of our childhoods. I was a messenger in NYC for half a decade, and these chains are the standard. Especially after the bic pen/U-lock fiasco.
While I understand the desire to have the Buffalo design in these, a simple circle would probably do the job better, and offer a more timeless appeal. The interior designs cut into a good portion of the "real estate", and have that "We're talkin' proud" kinda look to it.
I agree. Test the design before a big order is placed.
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Dan
It's all in the details, Buffalo. Glad to see that some people are starting to realize it. Great work!
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jsk1983
Hoss,
The U-Lock seems to be what everyone here recommends. I never heard of the bic pen story. Perhaps they've improved the lock since then. When I lived in WNY I lived in Williamsville. While I'm sure bikes were stolen on occasion its certainly not like it is in Chicago where bikes are stolen left and right. On a related note bikes don't seem to depreciate in value much. I replaced my stolen bike with a 1980s Schwinn Road bike in working order for $180. I think I paid $200 something for a new entry-level Trek in 1998.
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