Your Good (and Not So Good) Bike Racks

This week, as part of our Bikability campaign, we asked readers to share examples of good (and not-so-good) bike racks in their communities. Strong Towns believes that providing secure bicycle parking is one of those small, incremental actions that have a disproportionately large impact.

We received a variety of photographs, ranging from basic and utilitarian, to the whimsical yet workable, to the downright questionable. Here is a selection of some of your submissions:

The Good

The only #goodbikerack is a staple rack. All others are fluff and make it harder to lock up. @StrongTowns pic.twitter.com/I9Mj0ZM8Kq

— Adam Herstein (@AdamHerstein) October 18, 2016

It's #bikeweek at @StrongTowns! Here's a #goodbikerack. Lots of points to lock to + symbolism about using "car infrastructure" for bikes pic.twitter.com/NQ6bsaOzXP

— Pat Revord (@prevord) October 18, 2016

This #goodbikerack is in a location with lots of bike riders and sees heavy usage. It's easy to lock a bike to with plenty of space between inverted U's. There are four racks here that provide secure parking for 40 bikes. #apbp #bikerack #ptown #capecod #pedalptown

See this Instagram photo by @rikahlberg * 6 likes

What's a #goodbikerack? We say our @NormanArts artist designed bike racks. Functional, interesting and well placed! @StrongTowns pic.twitter.com/u5vQe7FDen

— FowlerAuto (@FowlerAuto) October 18, 2016

Another #goodbikerack in #Provincetown. This one keeps bikes upright even on this hillside and is in an easily visible location at a popular destination in town. #ptown #bike #bikerack #capecod #library #pedalptown

See this Instagram photo by @rikahlberg * 8 likes

Not just one #goodbikerack, but two! @fowwow @NormanArts @StrongTowns ❤ 🚲 pic.twitter.com/3lHPPQWG3v

— OU Campus Corner (@OU_CampusCorner) October 18, 2016

The not-so-good

My contribution @YuriArtibise - #badbikerack, East Lansing, good luck if you have a U-lock. (Not my bike!) pic.twitter.com/FIIEPnHnX1

— David Shane (@david_shane) October 18, 2016

This #badbikerack doesn't support a bike very well, so people park on the ends. Even then the rack doesn't provide a good way to attach a bike to keep it from falling over. Sadly, it's a new rack that replaced a rotting wood rack of the same design. #ptown #bikerack #pedalptown

See this Instagram photo by @rikahlberg * 6 likes

My bike is here just for the photo. I lock my bike to a sign post at this Rite Aid. #badbikerack pic.twitter.com/SIPRcs3khH

— Kathryn S. Downing (@KSimmonsD1) October 19, 2016

For @StrongTowns #badbikerack: flew over my handlebars, bent rim, sprained wrist. Walked it to nearby store. The rack was the real tragedy. pic.twitter.com/DwnMRUa3E8

— Jennifer Smith (@jenesmith12) October 18, 2016

And the Whimsical

Here is an email submission we received from Dunedin, Florida created by a team at the Institute for Creative Arts. It is part, along with the adjacent crosswalk, of the Pinellas Trail, a popular Rails-to-Trails initiative thatruns right through downtown Dunedin.

The Red Squid

Fishbone Crosswalk

Thanks to everyone who participated!  Please keep sharing photos of any #goodbikerack or #badbikerack you come across on your travels.

Top photograph from Dero Bike Racks.