The Madison Bike Parking Hall of Shame

When bike parking goes bad

Over the last few years, the cycling community in Madison has seen many positive developments in the local biking scene. These include the implementation of the new bike sharing program, the proposal for the new Cannonball Path, new bike boxes, new bicycle boulevards, and other improvements.

But let’s take a look at a darker side of the bicycling scene in Madison: bad bicycle parking.

Bad bicycle parking can lead to bicycle theft, inconvenience for pedestrians, parking shortages for cyclists, impedance of access for the handicapped, and damage to street trees. More generally, it can make Madison’s streets a little less beautiful.

Bad bicycle parking can come in many forms: unlocked bikes, abandoned bikes, bike rack hogs, bikes locked to trees, bikes blocking staircases, or even bikes locked to other bikes. It isn’t hard to find parked bicycles in Madison that are in violation of the city’s ordinances [1] (see Section 12.76) or the city’s bike locking recommendations [2].

Some cases of bad bicycle parking seem to be the result of an inconsiderate cyclist. Others can cast a wider, vaguer net of complicity. Consider the places around town where the bike racks offered are inadequate, where the abandoned bikes have not been removed and clog the existing spots, or where there are no legal places to secure a bike.

Take a look below at the Madison Bike Parking Hall of Shame and get a sense of what bad bicycle parking looks like.

Is an abandoned bike is putting a cramp in your commute? Is a poorly parked bike putting your favorite street tree at risk? Be sure to notify the city [3] or the university [4] so that the bike can be tagged for removal.

Want to suggest other inductees to the hall of shame? Please send your photos to editor@madisoncommons.org [5]