I have not seen this for myself but isint there a similar concept of separation between bike lanes and roads in Germany?

lol, well, I am getting a ‘mechanical’ upgrade, as in: the undergarments of a tripod to stick to my frame. That should do it for now :-p

More purposes than one, cool! Have a good one, mate.

lol

@Chris: thanks for explaining, yeah, we have lots of those. It’s for car-poolers or cars with at least one (or 2, don’t know exactly) other person on board. It’s just one of many things that are applied as part of the ‘carrot-and-stick’ policies, such as ever higher taxation (on cars, gas, etc), fewer parking spaces, expensive (short term) parking and parking permits, etc etc.

HOV lanes are “high-occupancy vehicle lanes”. They’re “popular” (or in use I should say) in Canada and the US and result in a stupid waste of space and infrastructure as seen below

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:U.S._Route_59_CIMG7753.JPG

I’ve never seen this in north-western Europe but apparently they do exist and I understand Amsterdam was flirting with the idea…

Basically, these are punitive measures aimed to get people out of their cars by making life hard. A very stupid approach.

Source:
Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat. (2007). Cycling in the Netherlands.
http://www.fietsberaad.nl/library/repository/bestanden/Cycling%20in%20the%20Netherlands%20VenW.pdf

@Chris: you’re very welcome…I can perhaps answer your next question, after telling me what ‘HOV’ stands for. I really don’t know.

BTW Any idea what Amsterdam thinks about HOV lanes for cars?

== Bicycle locker ==
(Almost) completely separate, lockable bicycle shed meant exclusively for parking one or several bicycles.

== Bicycle parking arrangement ==
Bicycle shed, parking system (BPS) or combination thereof.

== Bicycle parking system (BPS) ==
Construction designed to provide sufficient stability to bicycles placed in or against the system.

== Bicycle shed ==
Building designated to park bicycles.

== Bicycle stand/rack ==
BPS meant for more than two bicycles (not to be confused with the stand affixed to a bicycle).

== Clasp system ==
BPS where (part of) a bicycle can be positioned in such a way that the bicycle is supported on both sides (to the left and to the right).

== Guarded bicycle shed ==
Building protected by staff.

== Lockable bicycle shed ==
Building whose entrance is protected by a (mechanic or electronic) lock.

== Multi-story rack ==
BPS where bicycles may be parked both at or near ground level and at a height of approx. 1.25 m.

== Railing system ==
BPS where a bicycle can be positioned in such a way that support is provided mainly on one side of the bicycle.

== Suspension system ==
BPS from which (part of) a bicycle is suspended.

You can read more about Fietsparkeur here:
http://www.velourbain.qc.ca/documents/Fietsparkeur_EN.pdf

That’s nice, Wilma, good way to promote it!

Average distances traveled per person per day, in km, per transport mode:
- Public Transport: 30.8 km
- Bicycle: 11.3 km
- Automobile: 50 km
- Walking: 2.5 km

Looking at the stats from 1980 on, km traveled by bike has only gone up, so I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a little higher now (as bikes sales have been really good the last 6 years).

Do you know what is the average commuting distance for cyclists in Amsterdam?

Thanks,
Chris, Vancouver

I’ve started complimenting any business where they make it easy for me to park my bicycle; I figure I let them know I appreciate it, maybe the word will spread to other businesses. Downtown Spokane is starting to get racks on the sidewalk in a few places. There are some businesses where they refuse to put in a rack, but some of them have invited me to bring the bike inside, and secure it to some piece of furniture near the check stands. So far, I’ve never been told that I have to take the bike back outside and leave it loose! (I wouldn’t; I’d simply take my business elsewhere.)

I think this applies here. :)

http://bikeportland.org/2008/09/19/pdot-makes-the-case-for-new-on-street-bike-parking/

Some of the main points in favor of them:

* Providing adequate, effective, easily recognized bike parking.

* Validating the message that cycling is a legitimate and valuable means of transportation in a manner that encourages bicycling as a convenient and popular mode, especially for short trips.

* Improving the pedestrian environment by reducing sidewalk clutter.

* Providing an economic stimulus for small retail shops that are partly dependent on a cycling customer base.

* Improving visibility at intersections by eliminating the opportunity for larger vehicles to park at street corners.

* Supporting increased commercial activity. Testimonials from local retail shops with existing on-street bike parking corrals affirm that they are appreciated by the business community. The higher ratio of bikes to vehicle capacity that corrals afford equates to a higher potential customer turnover. They also tell us that de-cluttering the sidewalk improves the aesthetics of their retail façades and allows for activities such as café seating.

Good stuff to be coming from the city government.

@Dave: great pics, man, there’s progress and those shop owners will soon find out cycle parking is good for business, they can ask Dutch retailers from any bicycle-friendly city/town, who were reluctant at first, too…about 20 years ago :)

@Adrienne: I truly love your solution, be bold! And thanks for that link, that neighbor certainly has things upside down.

@Karl: interesting and true, but considering the use of space by bicycle parking, and the opportunities it provides (for the better), I say it’s no contest. So I concur with David :).

@David: we both promise way too much to all these bicycle bloggers ;). Kidding of course, thanks for your post and linking back, it adds up nicely.

@Sindändùne: the reasons the city council mentioned are of course ridiculous and they just won’t admit they went for the cheap option. Those racks are steadily taken off the streets here, but I do see them in people’s gardens. Feel free to refer them to me, bring it on ;).