no secure bike parking

Well, one possibility to consider is a folding bike. If carried into the building in a bag they
might not even know what you have. Or they might concede that you can store it out of the way so it
won't be a problem ( a carry bag keeps dirt and grease from getting on things.). Of course, if the
building management is utterly humorless about enforcing their no bicycles rule, and if they search
all bags, then that won't help you.

Bike Friday makes custom bikes that have an excellent ride, but the folding operation may not be
ideal for taking it on public transportation, and they cost quite a bit. I have their New World
Tourist model, and ride it more than my non-folding road bikes.

Dahon makes some good quality folders that are much less expensive and fold quickly and easily. They
suggest a maximum rider height of 6' 4" and a max weight of 230 lbs. I have their low end 6 speed
Boardwalk model, but the Speed P8 might be one to consider. I'm 5' 7" and 155 lbs, so I don't know
how they are for larger riders.

Brompton is a very famous brand, but they seem a bit high priced for what you get. Same for Birdy. I
don't know what their height recommendations are. Trek is also coming out with a couple of folding
models, and there are many others.

A high quality folder can ride very well, but it may also cost more than you're willing to pay.
Something to consider, though.

MP

(Doug Purdy) said:

I'd like suggestions for dealing with a new downtown work location that allows no bikes in the
building and has only public racks outside on the street.

The immediate questions I have are: how to keep my bikes on downtown and subway racks; and, how to
find secure bike parking or persuade people to offer it?

here's some background. I've been bicycle commuting for 5 years year round, 20km each way. I really
enjoy the exercise and relaxation and I'm fully equipped with bikes and clothing. The company I
work for is moving to the Yonge-Bloor area in downtown Toronto.

The new location is also 20km/13miles. It is steps from the subway which ends 4km from my home.
There is a health club (=shower??)in the complex which would be a new luxury for me.

In my experience only the crappiest bikes are safe at subways or downtown street racks. At 6'4"
it's not easy to find beaters, and they're less pleasurable than the good bikes I'm used to.

Thanks for any replies to the newsgroup,

Doug

"Doug Purdy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'd like suggestions for dealing with a new downtown work location that allows no bikes in the
building and has only public racks outside on the street.

The immediate questions I have are: how to keep my bikes on downtown and subway racks; and, how to
find secure bike parking or persuade people to offer it?

here's some background. I've been bicycle commuting for 5 years year round, 20km each way. I
really enjoy the exercise and relaxation and I'm fully equipped with bikes and clothing. The
company I work for is moving to the Yonge-Bloor area in downtown Toronto.

The new location is also 20km/13miles. It is steps from the subway which ends 4km from my home.
There is a health club (=shower??)in the complex which would be a new luxury for me.

In my experience only the crappiest bikes are safe at subways or downtown street racks. At 6'4"
it's not easy to find beaters, and they're less pleasurable than the good bikes I'm used to.

Thanks for any replies to the newsgroup,

You might ask around the health club. Health club workers often ride to work. They're usually
exercise nuts, and they don't make much money so they often choose not to drive. Chances are you'll
find a sympathetic health club employee, who will let you keep your bike where they keep theirs, in
a back room or something.

You might also ask other businesses in the area if they would store your bike for you, maybe
for a fee.

Also make your plight known to city officials -- write letters, etc. Large office complexes *should*
provide some kind of secure bike parking. Public racks in public spaces *are not* acceptable in big
cities in North America. Geez, people [censored] if they have to park their *car* on the street, instead
of a parking garage -- and businesses gladly oblige them. So why should bike owners have to leave
their vehicles exposed to vandalism and theft?

Matt O.

Disclaimer: I'm not at all familiar with Toronto commuting patterns.

Suggestions:

1. Try making a deal with one of the parking garages: Is there a nook down on the street level --
near the booth -- here you could lock your bike for a token amount (cash) per month? Works for a
friend of mine in downtown LA.

2. Variation on the same theme: Does your new building come with a parking "deal", ie a tied garage
where your employer can requisition some number of reserved spaces for employees who are willing
to pay for them? If so, the relationship is probably mutually advantageous, and your personnel
manager may be able to make a useful call.

"Matt O'Toole" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

You might ask around the health club. Health club workers often ride to

work.

Quoted message said:

They're usually exercise nuts, and they don't make much money so they

often

Quoted message said:

choose not to drive. Chances are you'll find a sympathetic health club employee, who will let you
keep your bike where they keep theirs, in a

back room

Quoted message said:

or something.

Matt O.

That would be my approach. Surely someone in the basement can keep an eye on your bike. OK, so
don't bring it in the front door, how about the delivery area? Ask the mail guys if there's an
electrical room you can store it in. Theft isn't the only consideration..vandalism is another and
at least if it's locked inside, you're probably removing the vandalism probably. Someone might
still rip it off (who are the mail guys, anyway?!?) but at least you're limiting the damage as much
as possible. I'm sure someone down there will find some place for you. Get'em a Molson Pleasure
Pack if need be!! ;-)

Cheers,

Scott..

Doug Purdy <[email hidden]> wrote:
: I'd like suggestions for dealing with a new downtown work location that allows no bikes in the
: building and has only public racks outside on the street.

Does that mean no bikes in the carage? Isn't that discrimination?

Some people find creative places for their bikes: small storage rooms or entry halls, stairways,
even their office room (might fit behind the door if it's a small HPV).

Does your employer provide cars for the employees? Providing bikes would be cheaper, and if you get
them to do that then it's their risk not yours...

--
Risto Varanka | helsinki.fihpv.htmlOpen ↗ varis at no spam please iki fi

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Does your employer provide cars for the employees? Providing bikes would be cheaper, and if you
get them to do that then it's their risk not yours...

They may think that way over there in Europe, but not here in North America! "Real" people drive
cars, only kids and losers ride bikes...

Matt O.

"Matt O'Toole" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

They may think that way over there in Europe, but not here in North

America!

Quoted message said:

"Real" people drive cars, only kids and losers ride bikes...

Matt O.

This is very true. Very much the perception I've always had of what people think about my cycling.
Baseball is somehow cool (could you think up a more boring game?!?! ;-) but cycling is for 5 year
olds and guys stealing televisions. Strange.

Cheers,

Scott..

S. Anderson said:

Baseball is somehow cool (could you think up a more boring game?!?! ;

Golf

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

I'd like suggestions for dealing with a new downtown work location that allows no bikes in the
building and has only public racks outside on the street.

Get a folding bike is a possible solution.

Quoted message said:

The immediate questions I have are: how to keep my bikes on downtown and subway racks; and, how to
find secure bike parking or persuade people to offer it?

Check with a local garage. Some will let you lock your bike in their garage for a small fee,
possibly no fee.

Quoted message said:

here's some background. I've been bicycle commuting for 5 years year round, 20km each way. I really
enjoy the exercise and relaxation and I'm fully equipped with bikes and clothing. The company I
work for is moving to the Yonge-Bloor area in downtown Toronto.

Ask your company to speak to the landlord. They might let you use the freight entrance and keep your
bike in your office.

Quoted message said:

The new location is also 20km/13miles. It is steps from the subway which ends 4km from my home.
There is a health club (=shower??)in the complex which would be a new luxury for me. In my
experience only the crappiest bikes are safe at subways or downtown street racks. At 6'4" it's not
easy to find beaters, and they're less pleasurable than the good bikes I'm used to.

-----------
Alex

MP said:

S. Anderson said:

Baseball is somehow cool (could you think up a more boring game?!?! ;

Quoted message said:

Golf

To watch?

Football, basketball, hockey, soccer, auto racing, pro wrestling, tiddly winks.

--
Steven O'Neill [email hidden] www.bridgetolls.org

"MP" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

S. Anderson said:

Baseball is somehow cool (could you think up a more boring game?!?! ;

Golf

"Stupida facking game." Furio Giunta, Sopranos.