Buffalo Bike Racks?
When I pulled up to Steel Crazy Café earlier today (corner of Allen and Elmwood), owner Ed Hogle pointed out to me that The City had just removed all of the meter heads on sections of Allen. I asked him if he was aware of a grassroots effort to keep the poles in place so that bike riders would have a place to lock up their rides. "Sure," he answered. "Follow me. I have something to show you." I followed Ed to his truck where he proceeded to pull out a metal ring with a buffalo featured inside.
It turns out that Ed was one step ahead of me. He was on his way downtown with the metal ring to show it to city officials. Before he left, we walked the bike lock ring over to one of the bare parking meters to see what it would look like. Of course the design matches the metal buffalo benches that are already found on Elmwood. I hope that The City sees the potential in having these racks around commercial neighborhoods (see BRO post). As we lose the existing parking meters (for the electric ones) it's important to keep the local bike community in mind... especially since the Complete Streets Initiative is gaining so much support.
What Others Have To Say
What Do You Think?
Related Articles
-
Lighting The Elmwood Village For Good
Now that the Elmwood Village has landed the distinction of being one of the Top 10 Great Places in America, I can't wait for the day when the city switches up the street's lamp standards. If you look at historic Allentown, you will see that the street lighting is attractive and effective. It places the importance of the neighborhood experience on the sidewalk, rather than on the cars. As we see the highway cobras being replaced (finally) in our neighborhoods, our commercial distri … - Today, 4:58pm
- Continue Reading
- 1 Comments
-
Open Discussion with Al Coppola and Ron Rienas
Tomorrow evening, Ron Rienas, General Manager of the Public Bridge Authority, will meet with former State Senator Al Coppola in order to discuss the Peace Bridge and plaza expansion once again, and word is that Hillary Clinton is sending representatives.
In addition to the aesthetics, health concerns and historical impact to the immediate area, final funding has not been previously disclosed and is obviously an important element in the ongoing controversy over the entire proposed … - Today, 3:34pm
- Continue Reading
- 2 Comments
-
Urban Roots During The Holidays
You know that you've run across a creative garden cooperative when you're shopping for gardening supplies and you come home with a work of art. That's why we're so lucky to have Urban Roots on the city's West Side. During the course of the year, the cooperative works hard towards teaming up with artists who live in the community. It is during the Holiday Season that there is a big push to shine a light on the creative individuals. And don't think that art just comes in the form of … - Today, 10:50am
- Continue Reading
- Join the conversation
-
Bills vs Miami- Tailgate for a Cure
The Bills have a home but away from home game this weekend against the hated Dolphins. Suneel's Light, a local medical research foundation, is throwing the largest tailgate party in Western New York as the Buffalo Bills try to revenge their early season loss to their divisional rivals, the Miami Dolphins this Sunday in Toronto.
Known as Tailgate for a Cure, the annual fundraiser organized by the Suneel's Light Foundation welcomes all to attend a full blown, festive tailgate part … - Today, 10:45am
- Continue Reading
- Join the conversation
Comment Options
Einstein
How much support is the complete streets initiative gaining? How do we define success? Are planners and officials considering these goals in the design and planning stages or is this still an afterthought for them? Just curious on where this really stands.
Report this
TBone
When the city announced the removal of these meters i heard a great deal from public works officials stating that the removal would greatly benefit snow removal and cut down on the cost of repairing equipment and meters that had come into contact with one another. Has there been any talk as to whether or not these racks made of the post of the old meters will have the same negative side effects as the meters themselves?
Report this
DJB
This is great! I talked to a friend who works with the Buff State sculpture department about a similar idea and spoke to one of the employees at Campus just this weekend about improving the rings used in Toronto by making the actual ring the shape of a Buffalo. But, this is as good or better. I think the area should be able to paint them if they want - all different colors on Elmwood, striped or with polka dots on Allen, etc. Any way to turn them into an attractive art piece from an ugly parking pole would be a nice touch.
Report this
mbhxam
TBone...of course there would be the same negative side effect...take the posts down, they are ugly...or, leave one or two up per block (how many bike "racks" do we need per block?), but PLEASE do not leave them all up!
Report this
flyguy
Cool
Report this
TownLine
Is the city going to or have they already installed the "Pay and Display" robots on this block?
Report this
sbrof
great ideal. Less waste is good for the city and environment. Why put in bike racks when we already have poles. Maybe businesses can get variances from bike rack codes if they sponsor the conversion and maintenance of the new bike rack poles.
"public works officials" are some of the whiniest people in city hall. If it was up to them the city would be nothing but a giant paved rectangle because it would be easy to plow. Stupid parks, curbs, buildings all are in their way. I have had to deal with some of these people over the years and they are about the least creative or caring people as they come from city hall workers. they don't understand that in order to keep their jobs paid for they need a thriving happy population and business base.. In order to do that people deserve more than efficient methods of snow removal..
Also if plows are hitting parking meters aren't there larger issues. If they are hitting the curbs and continuing to hit the parking meters they probably shouldn't have their license to begin with. I don't see how these are a maintenance issue. Garbage trucks, street sweeps, Sewer connects are not close to these poles either. Excuses excuses.. thats all you get from public works.
Report this
carl
the Allentown anarchist bike racks are better.
Report this
RisingDamp666
A buffalo in a ring? Are you kidding me?
Report this
Hoss
Hell yeah!!! I think a plain old ring would be classier and better stand the test of time.
Though I appreciate the effort, the Buffalo sculpture already has a "talkin' proud"" kinda feel to it. In 6 years it will look as progressive as the current downtown bus station.
I'm really glad someone is taking initiative with this. It's time our local transportation planners stop viewing this city as strictly car-centric. Have them head up to Toronto for a day, and see the old meter posts/bike racks there.
Report this
11111inBlo
Yeah, Allentown already had their big "A"s in a metal circle that is much better. Also, these (albeit thick) sheetmetal cutouts will not last very long in the condition displayed. The bid Allentown "A"s are REALLY REALLY thick and I think tubular. Sheet metal is going to get bent and look like crap in 1 or 2 years. They also better be a VERY GOOD grade of stainless steel otherwise 1 winter of having salt laden snow covering then for days at a time and we are going to be adding tons of rust to this rust belt city. I'm all for it, but god I hope someone knows what the hell they are doing!
Report this
Deliking
Sorry Ed , but the first think that came to mind was the image of a dog pissing on the Buffalo. Imagine the scene with each new dog trying to lift their leg higher up. Eventually you'd have dogs all over pissing on buffalo, just like real life. Adding to the general confused state, would be dogs trying to determine if the Buffalo's were ready to get screwed and contemplating how to accomplish the act. Practically speaking this is a great idea, mental-physically it's interesting also.
Report this
Matthewjohnp
Gee, can't wait to see all the stripped bikes left to rust chained to those old parking poles...
Report this
Perry
I do like the Allentown "A"...but the Buffalo thing looks cool too. Regardless, it will be one of those little nuances that make Allentown and Elmwood unique.
Report this
DJB
With the cost of gas going over $4 a gallon this summer, I am sure fewer and fewer people will look at alternative transportation like a bike. I already notice more people commuting to work on bikes and to ignore the trend and the market forces behind it seems shortsighted. Certainly Buffalo is not conducive to biking in the winter (although in my last job 3 people biked to work 12 months a year) but these will be utilized. Whether it is a ring, a Buffalo, or something else, let's not eliminate them.
Report this
Jay
More of these please! Nice work Ed!
Report this
WholeLottaJibbaJabbah
More Bikes More Bikes More Bikes!
Report this
sbrof
As long as they think of the user. I have a couple items from Steel Crazy and sometimes they can be 'pointy.' No one wants poked fingers and hands using a bike lock. Just think about the user and durability of the items. As someone said it wouldn't be nice if in two years they were all staining the sidewalks orange from rust.
I have confidence that Ed knows what he is doing and will take our concerns to heart.
Report this