Riley Racks

Does anyone have a review for @blackhartstp.com ? I need to know if I can ride my e-bike or if I should sweat my ass off tonight on my least favorite bike.

TC bike parking review: Lake Harriet Bandshell A- The sail shape is such a fun fit for the space, I love it! Functionally, the rack is fine and I have no complaints. A- only due to quantity. ⛵️🚲 @tcbikeparking.bsky.social

MN State Fair (Summer Kickoff): A Plenty of space, unlike during the full State Fair. Free. At the entrance. No security so bring locks. Poutine and cherry cider for breakfast 5⭐️

Ramsey County Register for vital records and such: A Okay utility, plenty for demand, right next to the front door, and under an overhang. And quick service 🫡

Merriam Park Rec Center: D This thing at peak performance. Near the doors but not visible from anywhere in the park. Good news: I was there for a park revamp open house and better bike parking is coming!

Park Dental Grand Ave (StP) B I put three locks on and forgot to check the rack for shimmy so hopefully it’s still there. Not my favorite style. High traffic. By doors but they don’t open! Grand Ave always makes me nervous 🤷🏻‍♀️

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory: A Good shape, high traffic area, nearish door, but they could use a few more. Come to worship your gods, moisturize your skin.

Hey Bear: C+ The single rack is a usable shape, and at a highly visible location. But it’s right up against this table so when there’s a snow mound, it’s almost unusable. I added the + because I’m Covid cautious and normally eat on the sidewalk like a raccoon. Thanks for the dignity table.

Como Park Animal Hospital (24 hour emergency care): C It is at the front door, visible from the lobby, under a security camera, well under a huge overhang. But due to the very close proximity to both walls, you’re only getting one bike locked on here. New painted bike lanes from the south (Dale)

The seemingly impossible to earn A++ This rating was earned by the community. Fuck ICE

Bike parking review: Huntington bank stadium for Gopher Football It’s a B Nice racks overall. The racks on the ends incorporate the university logo without sacrificing their purpose Minus points since large sports events should have secure bike corrals @tcbikeparking.bsky.social

Bike Parking Review: MN Orchestra The treble clef bike racks are an A+ in my book. They fit perfectly with the location, there are a handful of them, and there are plenty of places on each rack to lock, making them usable with any bike. 🎼🚲 @tcbikeparking.bsky.social

Menards Saint Paul: C+ When you need some weather stripping and an intimate piano performance, you get front door parking under an overhang in case of precipitation. The utility, on the other hand, I don’t know what to call this. Hope for an open end spot.

Review: Caydence Records & Coffee, Payne Avenue, St. Paul. D How hipster is this shop; yet the best parking for your custom fixie is a gas meter out of sight of the cafe windows? (There’s also a parking sign around the corner, so close room for three bikes total.) @tcbikeparking.bsky.social

Bike Parking Review at Open Book/Milkweed: A There are four custom locks with multiple spots to lock to. Design fits the space (the other locks say write, create, and explore) *i walked here so I don’t have a bike to lock @tcbikeparking.bsky.social

(A second opinion rating! Because there are no rules here.) Merriam Park Library: C+ The racks are about 3 inches too close to the brick wall and I always have to lift my bike into position, which is a struggle with a heavier e-bike. But I love their books and roll-by drop off 📚

@tcbikeparking.bsky.social Urban Growler, St. Paul. B+ Plenty of well spaced n-racks. Could be more. Could have non-weedy plants below. We have to get the word out about all this bike parking - you don’t need to come in your #Cybertruck!

Tangletown: A A solid rack that’s easy to lock to. I like that it doesn’t just say tangletown. You’re gonna have to figure it out by the T and the tangles. There are plenty of racks to use at Diamond Lake and Nicollet @tcbikeparking.bsky.social

Highland Park: A+ Great design with a local landmark, plenty of places to lock with whatever kind of lock you use, and it’s angled so even a cargo bike won’t be blocking the sidewalk 10/10 no notes @tcbikeparking.bsky.social

This seems like the kind of event the @tcbikeparking.bsky.social community should know about. I’ll be there.

Lunds & Byerly’s Ford Pkwy: A- Good space and utility for all bike types, at the front door, never at capacity. But I feel like they could have easily placed these inside the parking garage for more security and weather protection.

Nokomis Cycle: A- It’s a nice rack and the design is fun because when I see the bike rack shaped like a bike and the sign that says Nokomis cycle I know that I am at a bike shop A- because the design includes a few spots that would be dangerous to lock to @tcbikeparking.bsky.social

@tcbikeparking.bsky.social Bakken Museum bike racks, South Side. A-, functional, solid bike racks with enough space for cargo bikes! Gap between sidewalk and bike rack concrete is a little exciting with a heavy cargo bikes. Museum staff say there are more racks in the parking lot.

Functionality isn’t great, but this bike parking outside Modern Times is among my fav bc I like the visual (cars put in their place as decorative bike parking). B- overall @tcbikeparking.bsky.social

@tcbikeparking.bsky.social Pure Lowry Apartments: D- Even if I wanted to lift up my cargo bike to lock up there, the platform isn't wide enough for it to fit.

@tcbikeparking.bsky.social Grainger #499 on Plato Blvd in St Paul. B-? A+? You can lock to the handicap signs outside and feel quite secure about it (B-) or you can roll right in through the automatic door for easy loading, and no one will bat an eye (A+).

Hamburgesas El Gordo Standish/Ericson Bike Racks: B Fine rack, boring design. They serve their purpose but the design doesn’t do much for me. I like the bird I guess. There are a handful of these at 42nd and Cedar. @tcbikeparking.bsky.social

Lito’s Burritos/Souptown Bike Racks: B They do the job but they don’t really stand out among the funky custom racks. Easy to lock to with any kind of lock and there are plenty of racks in the area. I can’t wait for this place to open 🌯Break the curse! @tcbikeparking.bsky.social

Bryant Lake Bowl: A Super cool bike rack! You can lock to either the pins or the bowling ball. It’s right outside the window and patio so you can keep eyes on your bike while you eat. The only negative would be space, the one bike here takes up most of one side of the rack. Bike rack art!

Saint Paul License Bureau- Transfer Rd. (F) I couldn’t even find a gas meter so I had to disrespect this piece of art. There are parking signs you could use if you love risk. But this is the fastest service you’ll ever find!

@tcbikeparking.bsky.social Merriam Park Public Library (SPPL). Grade: A. Separated from the street, space for bikes on either side of your own, enough of it, well trafficked. I’m even tempted to give it a “+” for the e-bait-bike that’s locked by cable, but that feels cruel.

Chuck & Don’s Ford Pkwy (D) but the employees are awesome and have always let me roll inside. Best outside option is around the corner at Allina’s front door (B) only one rack, cargo friendly, with regular foot traffic. There are good racks across the lot (C) but it’s a ghost town there, zero eyes.

@tcbikeparking.bsky.social Hmong Villiage. Rating: D No bike racks that I could find. This rickety stop sign on the landscaping rock was a poor substitute. At least there was space to park and a solid bike trail connection close by.

An excellent pdf to reference on parking design:

Bandana Square: “A” for the East side entrance. Right next to the entrance, tons of space both around and between each rack to accommodate cargo bikes (front loader may need to back in). I’ve never seen them close to full. And the shape offers options.

Free bike racks for Saint Paul businesses: www.stpaul.gov/departments/... 50% Reimbursed bike racks for Minneapolis businesses: www.minneapolismn.gov/getting-arou... Plus more great info in each link.