How does it make any difference weather-wise whether (pun intended) the bike racks are above or below ground? If they’re above ground you can’t ditch your rain gear until you’re in the library, whereas if they are below ground you ditch your rain gear as you park your bike. I don’t see how this amounts to a serious difference? Your bike is going to get wet when you ride in the wet, so there’s no sense it worrying about it getting rained on a little.

this is something that has frustrated me quite a bit within the design community. as a landscape architect, i often see bicycle parking quantities and locations thrown into the plans last minute…even on leed projects! the l in leed is for *leadership* in energy and environmental design, and i don’t think that there is anything cutting edge about sprinkling a few bike racks around the library outskirts after there is need. how about taking some of the street parking away from the edge of the building, planting trees and designating it all bicycle parking? now that is the type of message that i would like to see my city stepping up to!

but anyways, rant aside, i’m happy to see that there is such a need for more racks. i agree with the great responses already…and i personally do not think that parking bikes in the underground lot is very safe either. it’s an uncommon situation for bikes to be underground and motorists won’t necessarily be looking out for bicyclists down there. i see the importance of integrating bicycles and cars to educate motorists, but through a recent experience of being hit by a car as a pedestrian in venice by a driver not paying attention – i am self-proclaimed safety girl!

One remedy is to put up a very large sign above ground directing bikers to the underground bike parking. However, again, a typical biker who rides up will be looking for a pole to lock up to and may not notice a sign.

Outdoor bike racks are the correct solution. In addition to promoting cycling by their very presence, they occupy enough visual space so that they are obvious to most. If placed in front of the library the occasional cyclist who does not notice the racks and locks to a pole will notice them upon entering the library and make use of them next time.

Good work Siel,

Alex T

This being said, I prefer outdoor bike parking =)

Mr. Mullen – thanks for keeping the open conversation with your citizens!

I agree with you: underground parking is less then ideal. I think it’s a nice backup option, but we street level, outdoor parking.

One important benefit of outdoor bike parking is the VISIBILITY: when library patrons see bikes, some of them will inevitably be inspired to bike instead of drive, on their next visit. Promoting patrons to arrive by bicycle is just sound library policy.

The library is not just being kind to cyclists, by addressing the lack of bike parking. The City is on record, on paper, in support of the reduction of car trips and the increase of biking, in their Sustainable City Plan. They have a mandate to do this.

The City of Santa Monica talks the talk, and now they need to walk the walk. Do they or do they not want more people to bicycle for local transportation? Providing secure, convenient, and visible bike parking at all public facilities is a mandatory minimum step in taking the City in this direction. Let them start with the SM Public Library.