New Lincoln Park Apple Store: Why No Bike Racks?
The new Apple store at North/Clybourn in Lincoln Park does not have bike racks. Indeed, the picture of the store on the Apple website ironically shows a biker, who may have been searching for a bike rack at the time.
Biker wonders why beautiful computers but no bike racks (Photo from Apple website)
Chicago Blogger Steven Vance noted that bike accommodations were removed as part of the construction of the store and the associated renovation of the nearby Red Line station. Apple funded those renovations in partnership with the CTA.
I talked to an Apple employee when I visited the store. She was unaware of any plans to add bike racks, but said that such were a "possibility."
As a loyal Mac user I'm POed at Apple's lack of accommodation for customers who arrive at the store on bike, especially since it appears that Apple may have struck a deal for auto parking at a nearby garage.
Suggest bikers make their views known to store employees when they shop at the store or by phone: (312) 777-4200. As this is a prominent new retail outpost by a company that prides itself on good design and that demonstrated a commitment to public transit by investing in a renovation of the nearby CTA station it is worth squawking.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by h' 1.0 on -
I'm confused. I clicked the link to Steven's blog and he mentions right at the top that there are plans to replace the bike parking that was removed.
The 2006 zoning ordinance relating to bike parking states that there must be 1 bike parking space per 5 automobile spaces provided, hence my question on the other thread of whether there is dedicated car parking. As it stands, it appears they've invested in the CTA station (is there even a precedent for that?), are planning 8 bike parking spaces, and have installed no automobile parking.
I think it ought to be possible, once you can find a contact for someone who makes those decisions, to get more . . .
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Permalink Reply by John Gieger on -
I went by the other day and wondered about this, but I guess I just assumed that it was coming later. Good to know some prodding might have to be done, but between the store and the station, there should be at least a few!
H3N3 said:I'm confused. I clicked the link to Steven's blog and he mentions right at the top that there are plans to replace the bike parking that was removed.
The 2006 zoning ordinance relating to bike parking states that there must be 1 bike parking space per 5 automobile spaces provided, hence my question on the other thread of whether there is dedicated car parking. As it stands, it appears they've invested in the CTA station (is there even a precedent for that?), are planning 8 bike parking spaces, and have installed no automobile parking.
I think it ought to be possible, once you can find a contact for someone who makes those decisions, to get more . . .
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Permalink Reply by carl whetherspoon on -
I would guess they would be adding them. Also, you can always bring your bike into the apple store
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Permalink Reply by Scott on -
I just came back from this store. I locked up my bike at one of the two racks between the CTA entrance and the fountain.
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Permalink Reply by kayaktjb on -
Good news. They weren't there on Saturday.
Scott said:I just came back from this store. I locked up my bike at one of the two racks between the CTA entrance and the fountain.
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Permalink Reply by h' 1.0 on
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I just spoke to a complete idiot at that store. I'll spare you all the details-- it was pretty offensive, actually.
I'm not completely happy with the way the poster going by kayaktjb presented the "facts" here, but I would echo his request for people to call the store and ask about the bike parking situation and plans.
Please report back here after you have done so so we can see if there's a response.
(312) 777-4200
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Permalink Reply by carl whetherspoon on
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i am interested to know what was said at the apple store, do tell!
H3N3 said:I just spoke to a complete idiot at that store. I'll spare you all the details-- it was pretty offensive, actually.
I'm not completely happy with the way the poster going by kayaktjb presented the "facts" here, but I would echo his request for people to call the store and ask about the bike parking situation and plans.
Please report back here after you have done so so we can see if there's a response.
(312) 777-4200
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Permalink Reply by Steven Vance on -
Bike racks were added as of Friday, October 30, 2010. See photo.
However, as you can see in the photo, we can now add the "Apple Plaza" to the Bike Parking Hall of Shame for "installing" (er, dropping in) a grill rack.
This is extremely upsetting.
In a town full of bicycle parking and bikeway professionals, we still get amateur work.
My favorite photo:
Bike is locked to sign that says lock only to signs. But, as discussed in this topic, the CTA may remove your bike if not locked to racks. The Municipal Code of Chicago specifically states people may lock their bikes on sign poles on sidewalks.
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Permalink Reply by h' 1.0 on
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Per "Spencer", random employee that took the call:
(insert dismissive tone and side-comments to a magnitude of about 4/10 and condescension at about a level 3).
-nobody can comment on future plans but he thinks bike parking might be planned for next spring because obviously you wouldn't need it in the winter
-there may be things across the street for people to tie [sic] their bikes up to
-there is no manager's name that he can give me to contact because they will all say the same thing, that they're unable to comment on future plans
-there is no manager's name that he can give me to contact because they will all say the same thing, that they're unable to comment on future plans
-there is no manager's name that he can give me to contact because they will all say the same thing, that they're unable to comment on future plans
etc.
adam Hirsch said:i am interested to know what was said at the apple store, do tell!
H3N3 said:I just spoke to a complete idiot at that store. I'll spare you all the details-- it was pretty offensive, actually.
I'm not completely happy with the way the poster going by kayaktjb presented the "facts" here, but I would echo his request for people to call the store and ask about the bike parking situation and plans.
Please report back here after you have done so so we can see if there's a response.
(312) 777-4200
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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on -
A friend commented yesterday about the grill rack, saying that it had literally just been dropped there, not even bolted down.
Yep, definitely an addition to the hall of shame if this is all the attention bike parking gets at the Apple store.
Steven Vance said:Bike racks were added as of Friday, October 30, 2010. See photo.
However, as you can see in the photo, we can now add the "Apple Plaza" to the Bike Parking Hall of Shame for "installing" (er, dropping in) a grill rack.
This is extremely upsetting.
In a town full of bicycle parking and bikeway professionals, we still get amateur work.
My favorite photo:
Bike is locked to sign that says lock only to signs. But, as discussed in this topic, the CTA may remove your bike if not locked to racks. The Municipal Code of Chicago specifically states people may lock their bikes on sign poles on sidewalks.
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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on
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Next spring?!?!?
H3N3 said:Per "Spencer", random employee that took the call:
(insert dismissive tone and side-comments to a magnitude of about 4/10 and condescension at about a level 3).
-nobody can comment on future plans but he thinks bike parking might be planned for next spring because obviously you wouldn't need it in the winter
-there may be things across the street for people to tie [sic] their bikes up to
-there is no manager's name that he can give me to contact because they will all say the same thing, that they're unable to comment on future plans
-there is no manager's name that he can give me to contact because they will all say the same thing, that they're unable to comment on future plans
-there is no manager's name that he can give me to contact because they will all say the same thing, that they're unable to comment on future plans
etc.
adam Hirsch said:i am interested to know what was said at the apple store, do tell!
H3N3 said:I just spoke to a complete idiot at that store. I'll spare you all the details-- it was pretty offensive, actually.
I'm not completely happy with the way the poster going by kayaktjb presented the "facts" here, but I would echo his request for people to call the store and ask about the bike parking situation and plans.
Please report back here after you have done so so we can see if there's a response.
(312) 777-4200
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