What sorts of responses did you get to your questions in your city?
Hello again everyone,
Have you asked any questions in your city? I would be very curious to hear some results.
Bonnie
Hi all,
We only have one more week before this course ends. I hope you'll take the time to work through the other units. It would be great to learn about the experiences in your various cities. Even if you haven't posted anything yet, please don't be shy: Join the conversation.
Have a nice weekend everyone!
Bonnie
When asked which of the cycle parking options they use (or don't use) and why, those asked responded:
1 Suggested parking: Zero out of five asked stated that they would not use the suggested parking option due to their fear of most certain theft.
2 Bike racks: All five said that they use the bike parking racks are available and would use their bike more often if more bike racks should become available
. 
3 Covered bike parking: Zero out of five use the covered bike parking option due to unavailability. The one covered bike parking area available is in the local market and complaints have been filed against local vendors for blocking access to the area with their goods.
4 Bike lockers: See above item 3.
5 Automated parking - below ground: See above item 3.
When asked how far they would be willing to walk to their final destination for safe bike parking, those asked responded: One out of five: no more than 50 meters, three out of five: up to 100 meters, one out five: up to 150 meters
When asked how much they would be willing to pay for safe bike parking? All five stated that the charges should vary based on the type of parking option provided, but all said that lockers and automated parking should be free to incite others to use the bike in lieu of the automobile.
When asked if it would make a difference for them if there were a safe place to park their bike at their destination all five noted that because there were not enough racks currently available that the lack of secure bike parking was an additional factor as to why they didn’t use their bikes more often.
Hi everyone,
When I asked questions about posibilities for cycle parking I got those answers:
- Those who use bike for traveling to work, want to leave their bikes at the covered bike parking near doorman at the entrance of the factory, because their bikes are there for several hours (during entire working shift). In such a way, bikes will be protected from atmosperics and theft, because it will be under the supervision of doorman. In front of some factories there are some examples of this kind of parking and it isn' t necessary to pay a fee for usage.
- Those who use a bicycle to go shopping or to pay a bills, want to have have parking close to final destination (market, shop, bank or public enterprise). In most cases near public enterprises and markets there is a simple bike racks. Most of the respondents said that it should be set bike racks of different design that enables to tie a bike in that way that prevents theft.
Younger bikers said that it will be good to set up a modern design bike racks near pedestrian zone, because that will encourage people to use bicycles more. That would make the space more interesting and it would be an advertisement for cycling.
Most of the respondents said that they would use their bikes more often if there are more parking place.
No one was willing to pay a fee for parking, because in their opinion, bicycles don't pollute the environment, doesn't make noise, do not endanger pedestrians, so cycling should be encouraged.
As for secure parking, the majority was for it, but to be close to the final destination.
-Those who use bike for recreation, to go to mountain, river or lake near by, said that the main problem for safe ride is lack of bike paths.
Jelena
People I ask about the items are surprised. They haven't thought much about it because there are so many guided, free parkings at the right places (next to the railway station, in the centre of town) that they can not provide a well funded answer on distance and pricexs.
Hello,
In my city there are very few bike racks and no shelters or other secure bike parking. There was a covered bike parking in front of a car repairing shop (and they give you a bike while your car was repaired) but some months ago they take it away (I don't know why). It was a ver good idea, because the distance between the shop and the city is quite large.
There are two types of racks, but almost 100% are the so called "wheel benders". But almost nobody use them, so don't worry. This is the most successful rack in the city, in front of Universtity main building. You can see three or four bikes if you are lucky:
There are two or three locations with better racks:
And that's it.
So, people use some of these racks (mainly at the University, the public library, and one administrative building because the racks are at the right location), but in general they use what they can (sign posts, trees, fences, etc) or they take the bike indoors (if it's possible). As an a example: the gym I use doesn't have any bike facility and the first week (they opened recently) one boy arrived by bike and they allowed him to park the bike indoors, but as a favour, and he never arrived again by bike. I know several people who would use the bike to the gym instead the car if there were any place to park it.
People in general would only walk around 50 m. If they have to walk more, they will find some street furniture or something to park the bike.
About changing the mode of transportation, I have being asking people for several years and, despite the safe parking is important, its important too the cultural shift: you won't see a lawyer or a middle age lady on bike here for the time being. I would say that 10-20% of people would change the car for the bike.
Hi Jesus,
Indeed your first photo is a bit discouraging but on the positive side, at least you have a couple of good examples in your city that you can point to to show what good parking can look like.
Have you thought about going to the car repair place to ask them why they took the covered parking away? That would do 2 things: you would get the answer and it would show them someone is interested in the service they were providing for cyclists. It's always useful to let businesses know when you think they're doing something good. After all, you're a potential customer for them.
Bonnie