At my local PNC Bank branch (Fifth Avenue at Craig Street), they have a covered car parking lot with a bike rack as well. It's a toast/toaster-type rack, and there are usually 4-5 bikes locked up. My suspicion, based on nothing, is that most--if not all--of them belong to people living in nearby apartment buildings (or maybe patronizing other nearby businesses) and not to PNC employees or customers in the bank at that moment.
OK, so far, so good. I'm glad to see bikers around. But last week when I went, there were eight bikes on the rack, and no space for mine. I locked up to the railing right behind it, and wasn't really all that inconvenienced by it. But it made me think--should I complain to the management that the bike rack--surely put in place for bank patrons, not as general community bike storage--is unavailable for me at the time I want to come and do bank business? As I was leaving the bank, I briefly mentioned it to the security guard on duty, and he really, really had a hard time understanding what I was saying, so I'm sure he didn't pass it up to a manager.
Any thoughts?
First thought? It is so cool that we now have problems like this.
Second thought? Don't complain about non-customers using it; instead, ask the bank to put in another one, since there are so many people using the current rack. They may take that request as a cue to start cracking down, or, maybe just maybe, there'll be another rack out of the deal. Either way, life is good.
Aw man, I love when I see a full bike rack.
I would probably just let it go and let yourself be inconvenienced by having to walk across the street or wherever to park. It is extremely unlikely that the bank will want to enforce "patrons only" bike parking and it's even more unlikely that whatever they come up with will work.
In Pittsburgh at least, we are generally able to get away with whatever we want and lock to whatever we want, so long as it's not private property and not blocking access. I would advise on NOT calling for enforcement against other cyclists who aren't even doing anything malicious.... bad karma!
I second what reddan said... cheerily mentioning how popular the rack is and suggesting they install another rack is way more positive than complaining.
Oof... you talked the guard at a PNC? That's a sure fire way into some awkwardness.
I saw a bunch of bikes chained up a fence next to that bar on the corner of Friendship and (I think) Pearl tonight... it made me smile
I don't like people, and I especially don't like people taking my parking spot at work when they weren't out riding all winter. You know, it's like when you were young and your uncivilized family showed up at church for just Christmas and Easter, and your rare appearance at church displaced the real god lovers (running late) who now have to sit in the back or stand and be farther from god. We're all bozos at some point or another.
And I don't like having to pass people when we're both going up mini-inclines. I want to find a forum in which to communicate to these "cyclists" that if they first cycle all winter long, then I won't be antagonistic about seeing them again when it's nice out, and I won't have to pass them and seem like a dick (even though I am) because they'll have strong enough legs to keep the bike traffic from needing to leapfrog.
I feel the same way about motorcyclists... You can tell me to get off the road when you pull next to me at the light in January, not on a clear day in April.
Usually with a full rack, if I'm just going in-n-out, I'll just lock up to another bike.
I'll just lock up to another bike.
...especially if it's covered in dust and/or obviously hasn't been touched in days/weeks.
Makes sense, really. It's the 2-wheel equivalent of double parking.
see, at whole foods, i tend to think it's ridiculous that there is no separate bike parking for employees. the racks by the entrance are always filled with the same bikes, obviously the ones of the employees. why can't whole foods provide separate parking so that there is more space for the customers? not always an issue, but during busy times, it can be.
really, the whole "i ride all winter - i'm better than you" is sort of tired. anyone can play some sort of card. i could play "i rode my bike for 80 miles during the winter for fun - i'm better than you" and then danny chew could play the "i rode to alaska, to florida and back to pittsburgh - i'm better than anyone." it's not a good pissing contest.
if anything, the whole lots more people riding in the summer worries me because i see more close cars between inexperienced cyclists and cars. but no one's better than anyone else because they choose to commute in the winter or whatever they do when it's cold out.
with all that said, if someone accused me of in the past being cocky in the past about this stuff, they'd be right. but oh well, let's grow up and ride your bike as much as you personally want to and don't impose your own guidelines on everyone else.
Sloaps: Usually with a full rack, if I'm just going in-n-out, I'll just lock up to another bike.
This is recipe for someone going apeshit, and understandably. I've been locked in by someone before, and even if just for a few minutes it's a total bummer. It's worse than being parked in. I can't get you towed and can't easily fetch my angle grinder on foot.
What Steve said too.
because they'll have strong enough legs to keep the bike traffic from needing to leapfrog.
hey veg, I'll see your biking-all-winter, and raise you one biking-since-you-were-in-diapers. But don't let it bother you, you can join the Get Off My Lawn Club as soon as Mick graduates to a tricycle.
Lyle, may I join? I found myself saying "Kids these days" AND MEANING IT at least five years ago...
That rack always have 4-5 bikes on it. I think you are right about locals locking there. I swear some of those bikes have been there for years.
I also agree with everyone saying complaining about it is the wrong way to go about it.
I don't lock to bikes unless I'm with the person who's bike I am locking to.
ho ho ho.
the reason whole foods doesn't have any bike parking for its workers is the same reason it doesn't have kombucha on tap or an indian food bar or a pennsylvania grocery store loophole beer section: there is no room. the new store in wexford will have all of these things, but probably no problems with bike parking, because it's wexford and no one will bike out there except some people on this board.
and if someone accused me of having in the past been sarcastic on the internet and/or in real life with no one getting the joke, then they would only be half right.
"and then danny chew could play the "i rode to alaska, to florida and back to pittsburgh - i'm better than anyone."
loled at that
vb, so is it the sarcasm part or the no one getting it part? or real life vs. i-life... watch what you say tony c. is everywhere.
mark, it's all. communication is so hard!
I swear... when I read this post title, I though....."well, that is NOT DEFINITELY my problem" (Joke) 
reddan, you're already riding a la-z-boy! Who would dare bar you?
@lyle: you can join the Get Off My Lawn Club as soon as Mick graduates to a tricycle.
I expect to obtain a third wheel sometime between 2025 and 2035. Assuming no military vehicles run me down first.
Mick
Reddean: I found myself saying "Kids these days" AND MEANING IT at least five years ago...
That always amazes me. One would think that after listening to Steppenmwolf, Grand Funk, and the Sex Pistols, folks my age would trancend the idiot phrase "This stuff today isn't real music. They don't make good music anymore..."
But NO!!!!
"What's wrong with these kids? How can they [tattoo themselves, let their bra straps show, die their hair purple, whatever]???"
Right.
Kids today? They are polite, respectful, and well-behaved. They are knowlegable and appreciative of the music of their parents' age. They LISTEN to geezers, fer krissakes. It astonishes me.
In my day? Kids were NOT like that.
Mick
Bikeygirl: ....."well, that is NOT DEFINITELY my problem"
I'm so glad you made that joke! I'm no longer tempted to.
Mick
i was hoping this thread was going to be about cetma racks actually...
