Hmm...biking in Sac. Not to be a nattering nabob of negativism (I have had that phrase stuck in my head lately), but do you all agree that it's getting worse? I guess some of the two ways and wider bike lanes have made it better but in general it's just an insane hassle getting from point A to B on a bike.
These new bike rack thingys have gotten some attention around town. I used one the other day at as a locking apparatus it was ok. It's kinda form over function but it works. There are really a lot of poorly designed bike racks out there in the world.
I guess this one is kinda the best we can hope for?
This one is one of the worst kind. These kind of bike racks are installed by people who pretend that we live in a nice world where no one would steal your bike if you lock it by the tire. There are ones like this outside of Records on K on Broadway.
Same with these two below, although at least there are two spots on the end that you can actually secure your bike to. That bottom one is like the one outside Tower theater, one of my most hated bike racks ever! It's great to hoist my old heavy bike up over the top and try to lock it while simultaneously balancing it on the pole.
wow, entertaining?
sweet bike rack photo essay.the people want more. how about drinking fountains?-Ed
ReplyDeleteThe second one is the best kind -- metal too thick to cut through, firmly embedded in concrete. You don't lock your bike by the 'tire', you lock your bike THROUGH the tire and the back triangle of the frame. This way you've also protected at least one tire from theft.
ReplyDeleteThat first one is absolutely ridiculous -- a minute or two with a wrench would let you walk off with someone's bike.
nah, i only drink out of hoses, right smiller?
ReplyDeleteI took a "Cultural Landscapes" class in college and wrote a 30 page paper (well, there were pictures) on curbs that rocked the house.
ReplyDeleteI am pro-vernacular landscapes and I vote!
gbomb
In Kumamoto, ya just lock your wheel as there are few bike racks. The bike racks that are available are jammed pack with stolen bikes or pachinko player bikes that never seem to move day in/day out. Japan`s main export to North Korea was second hand or stolen bikes but I believe that isn`t happening now cause they got the bomb. Kumamoto`s Downtown has a safety patrol which is a bunch old guys with green hats that move your bike and fit your bike inbetween tight or on top of other bikes.When that happens you usually knock over ten or twenty bikes prying it out.By the way--love the pics.
ReplyDeleteJay
I like the new bike racks but I haven't tried to use one yet. SABA has an awesome list of photos of crappy grocery store bike racks.
ReplyDeleteI find parking sign poles work best. I never use racks anymore; puts your bike right there next to the other poor suckers who ride so they can rifle your paniers or steal it themselves cuz their duct tape is wearing out...
ReplyDeletejay-
ReplyDeleteis it true that people in japan play pachinko just for the fun of it and don't gamble on it? i find that to be weird.
Don't they play for ball bearings which you can exchange for cash and prizes?
ReplyDelete-- Jason, not Jay
I don't know, my friend there said there isn't money on it, which amazes me cuz there were pachinko parlors everywhere in certain neighborhoods.
ReplyDeleteThey play for balls that our exchanged for gifts inside that can be exchanged for money outside the hall.But I see some people with cards like an Atm. But all moo la transactions are an outside transaction.I get up at 5 am and roll at 6 am to a duck farm that uses ducklings in organic ice rice farming. Sometimes- I see the first pro or otaku pachinko players getting in line with a cup of joe waiting for there machine like 3 sometimes 5 hours before the parlour opens.
ReplyDeleteJay -- when are you gonna enter the fast-paced world of the Host Boy? I just wacthed a documentary about them that blew my mind!
ReplyDelete-- Patrone
Host Boy? I need more info!
ReplyDeleteRent The Great Happiness Space: Tale of an Osaka Love Thief...you will not be let down. You may even find a new career!
ReplyDelete-Summer
A few weeks ago some host boys threw something at me.All I heard was "tomago o nageru".Which is throw the egg.The funny thing is I have been picking up eggs everyday for the last 4 weeks so I laughed.My night students think I do an awesome mime of a host boy.They said I should do rakugo which is japanese comedy.Host boys--there fun people watchin with a cheap hoppushu in your hand walkin downtown. They all seem to have pointy shoes in Kumamoto. Do they have pointy shoes in the movie??
ReplyDeleteTheir shoes are like 450,000 billion yen, and their haido's are really pointy. My friend who grew up in Japan said her brother was one and made something like $30,000 a week (no shit).
ReplyDelete--Patrone
how is the bike theft rates in sac? has it been getting worse?
ReplyDelete