Austinist: Bike Rack Design Contest Winners Announced

twotired

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:40:20 -0600

Huh? These are TERRIBLE bike racks. Public are they may be, but all three share the common fatal design flaw of providing only one point of contact for the bike leaning against what is nothing more than a glorified parking meter, which will result in falling bikes. And the “Gear Grove”? Expect multiple lawsuits against the city and DAA for severe lacerations when passersby inadvertently brush up against the cog teeth. The DAA should scrap all three and start over with the following required design criteria: 1) Stability: all entries must provide two points of contact between bike frame and rack; 2) Security: they must at a minimum allow the cyclist to secure the frame and front wheel to the rack with at least a standard size U-lock; and 3) Comprehension: the rack should be immediately recognizable as a place to park a bike and the method of securing the bike should be self-evident.

smason

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:57:27 -0600

Funny, elephant ear is an invasive species which the city recommends avoiding when landscaping. On top of that, Keep Austin Beautiful actually organizes volunteers to go out with herbicide to try to prevent the stuff from spreading.

bluejar

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:12:23 -0600

the gear ones look the best, the cleanest and most modern/easier to fabricate than the 'disney-world' themed p.o.s.s but yay for bikes!

LoudMouth

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:40:58 -0600

Bitches! That grass design looks exactly like the design I submitted as a joke since that was the first thing that immediately sprang to mind. I bet mine didn't make the cut because it was drawn on a cocktail napkin. Fucking bitches. I also submitted one like those leaves but they were Keep Austin Friendly pot leaves. I got a note back from the mayor's office telling me they weren't interested in designs incorporating cannabis plants but they would welcome those of the cocas.