NorthernLiberties.org - A Community Bulletin Board - Northern Liberties, Philadelphia

Let's get creative!

IP: 76.99.25.84

Aug 25, 08 - 7:32 AM

David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

From the NYT: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/09/arts/design/09bike.html?ei=5124&en=d55cccdd3c7e5a4e&ex=1376020800&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink&pagewanted=print

Why is the NLNA asleep at the wheel on this? We may not have David Byrne in NL's, or even in Philly, but we have lots of good local artists who could design artful bike racks for our neighborhood and enhance its attractiveness and uniqueness. The economy (unemployment, high commodity prices, bursting of real estate bubble, etc) is not helping right now, and we need different types of retail businesses here than can thrive in the long term, not just bars and restaurants. We may not have a lot of foot traffic yet in NLs, but we can create more 'bike traffic' and thus help our existing local retail businesses and fertilize the ground for future ones to come.

Time to get creative.

Michael

IP: 192.154.91.225

Aug 25th, 2008 - 8:04 AM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

I don't really see this as NLNA being "asleep at the wheel" ("asleep at the handlebars"). The ideal would be for something like this to be a city-wide effort.

tastymoog

IP: 76.99.20.106

Aug 25th, 2008 - 8:12 AM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

plenty of cities already have bike rack design competitions; maybe it's just a Philly problem/lack of effort in general, as Michael said.

Cheesesteak the Impaler

IP: 72.92.114.11

Aug 25th, 2008 - 9:27 AM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

Was this you too?

http://pub50.bravenet.com/forum/4226496069/show/605538

Rather than calling your neighbors, or their community group, "asleep at the wheel," wouldn't it be more tactful to propose a project like this to the NLNA or local business owners or your city council person?

I think it's a good, though modest and not all that radical, idea. Frankly, I don't like riding my bike through the "commercial corridors" of NL: the 2nd and 3rd st speedways, but maybe a "critical mass" of bicycle usage would change the traffic pattern, or so the theory goes....

So, how would NL go about implementing this?

Nurm

IP: 72.94.171.90

Aug 25th, 2008 - 10:25 AM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

for the nyc competition,i like the wheel shaped rack design, with nyc ingrained in the center. and good luck recruiting people to bike down 2nd street speedway to try to change the traffic patterns...an alternative solution to the 2nd street speedway: what about if we stage a fake death of a pedestrian? we can have the driver on the curb crying or something. it could be performance art.

ring! ring!

IP: 38.115.17.4

Aug 25th, 2008 - 10:35 AM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

The NLNA is totally on sleeping pills on this issue.

I second the idea that NLs should do something special with cool/artistic bike racks now rather than endlessly wait for the City to provide 'standard issue' racks. Liberty Lands is an example of NLs creativity at its best. It happened with no City aid. Few neighborhoods in the City have something like it. Compared to what had to be done/is still being done with Liberty Lands, artistic bike racks like David Byrne's should be easy to execute, and they'll help NLs stand out even more from other city neighborhoods (as well as provide greater traffic for NLs businesses).

I'll also add that the NLNA should find a way to arm-twist the real estate developers currently transforming NLs into incorporating bike racks and other bike-friendly features to their new developments. Wanna build a 10-story building in our neighborhood? Welcome! But you must provide public-access bike racks outside the property equal to no less than 20% of the number of tennants/residents that can occupy building (assumption would be one person per bedroom).

Michael

IP: 192.154.91.225

Aug 25th, 2008 - 12:39 PM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

While I agree there needs to be more bike racks (the requirement for developers is interesting), I fail to see bike racks as a deus ex machina for keeping and attracting new businesses. Rather, they should be part of a strategic plan that involves public transportation, walkable sidewalks, and increased density.

the little guy

IP: 38.115.17.4

Aug 25th, 2008 - 1:01 PM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

Strategic plans are grand, bureaucratic projects that involve many actors and take many years to develop (they also make a lot of money for consulting firms). One could argue the whole planet Earth needs a strategic plan right now, but most people would resort to inaction if they were told that before they could, say, sweep the sidewalk in front of their homes they needed a strategic plan that encompassed a whole lot of other things to improve their neighborhood.

I fail to grasp how installing creative bike racks in NLs will greatly upset its urban design, or what it has to do with walkable sidewalks or good public transportation.

To my knowledge, NYC's bike rack design contest did not require some big strategic plan to get done, and Philly, and much less NLs, is not nearly as complex an urban design environment.

If Liberty Lands had been made part of a larger, city-wide strategic plan, it would've never happened. Ever. Instead, people in NLs thought and acted locally, and simply got things done themselves.

Big real estate developers are radically transforming NLs (for better or for worse, depending on your point of view) right before our very eyes, strategic plan or not.

SugarHouse Casino and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court showed they didn't give a hoot about neighborhood strategic plans.

Gas is expensive and bikes are having a boom/re-naissance in America. Bikes -- and the 'biking lifestyle' -- are getting the most mainstream media attention they've gotten in decades. There are more people using bikes in Philly now than there ever have been, and this trend is sure to continue. NLs should, and can capitalize on this. Now.

Wake up, NLNA!!!

Snugz

IP: 161.188.204.240

Aug 25th, 2008 - 1:44 PM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

I thought the NLNA charter was to pave over everything except for Liberty Lands? You know the whole - "let's build everywhere" and pop in an occasional tiny tree... the whole anti-Open Space campaign.

Oh, and if you want to join in on the biking fun, I plan on going by the Cantina and kicking over a table each and every time I ride by there, call it "buzzing the tower", those *ss-bags ALWAYS, always, always unapologetically block up the sidewalk.

Leo's bike rack is pretty slick outside of North Bowl.

Is there a process for removing abandoned bikes (like there is for cars)? You always come across that eye-sore 10-speed with the bent tires, etc..

Cheesesteak the Impaler

IP: 72.92.114.11

Aug 25th, 2008 - 1:47 PM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

First off, why must the NLNA be "woken up" to begin this bike rack initiative? Was David Byrne involved with a neighborhood association? No, according to the article which I actually read as opposed to just linked to, he was working with the city's dept. of transportation. What's stopping impassioned people across the city from approaching whatever city hall authority one may need to get this adopted. In NL in particular, why is the NLNA necessary? If the NLNA is necessary, why not be a grown up, make a proposal and see who at the meeting may be able to support and back you instead of whining "why doesn't someone do what I want?"

I'd be for more impressed, and I would have last year when this chatter started, if the original poster said, "I'm really interested in seeing this done in NL, who wants to meet up and discuss how we could get a project like this off the ground." You're only a "little guy" because you see yourself that way in this case.

Cheesesteak the Impaler

IP: 72.92.114.11

Aug 25th, 2008 - 1:50 PM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

No, no Snugz, this is not a good idea!

Marverick: just like James Garner, Mel Gibson, and John McCain.

Hoagie

IP: 38.115.17.4

Aug 25th, 2008 - 2:32 PM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

Cheesteak, you need to put into practice what you preach, dude. If someone wants to give a heads up to the NLNA on this board, what's wrong with that? Puts all the more pressure on them eggheads, as they know many people read this board. The orginal poster is using one of many change strategies available. All you've done for a while now is prowl this message board all day every day, looking for someone to pick a fight with. Time you shut down your computer and got your butt off your chair. I look forward to seeing you at the next NLNA meeeting, or at the next Liberty Lands cleanup, if you dare.

Cheesesteak the Impaler

IP: 72.92.114.11

Aug 25th, 2008 - 2:38 PM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

"Change strategy", is that what they told you to call "complaining" in comm class? Please, hoagie, there's giving a heads up to a cool idea, and there's implying incompetence in accusing people of being "asleep at the wheel?" Or does everything you know about persuasive rhetoric come down to "I'll see you on the streets?" Good luck with that

cme2niteudig

IP: 208.176.53.130

Aug 25th, 2008 - 3:46 PM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

You need to step out of the hood more often and walk up and Frankford Ave in Fishtown and Kenzzie and you will see some cool bike racks starting at Frankford & Girard Ave. to about Lehigh Ave.

Uncle Ruckus

IP: 76.99.37.173

Aug 25th, 2008 - 7:21 PM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

Forget the bike racks, I'll take David Byrne!

peanut butter & jelly

IP: 76.99.25.84

Aug 25th, 2008 - 7:40 PM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

We may not have Byrne, but we have Razzi (as well as others) that can design cool bike racks, even if Razzi's North Bowl rack looks a bit like something out of a slaughterhouse!

And you may ask yourself, where's the foot traffic?

And you may ask yourself, why isn't retail thriving here?

And you may tell yourself, looks like we could use lots more bike racks.

And you may tell yourself, NLNA is surely sleeping.

Same as it ever was.

Same as it ever was.

Same as it ever was.

Same as it ever was.

Michael

IP: 192.154.91.225

Aug 26th, 2008 - 8:19 AM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

I should have paid attention in economics class. I didn't realize bikes racks, on their own, in a single neighborhood were such an economic engine.

Again, not saying more bike racks are a bad thing. They are a great thing. But I don't see how they are going to save small businesses in the 'hood. We need better public transportation as well. Stop looking for the nonexistant magic bullet. Not saying hold off on building them until there's a plan, just don't expect them to attract more businesses. For more businesses to thrive, we need greater density in the neighborhood.

CC

IP: 148.177.1.211

Aug 26th, 2008 - 9:23 AM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

I know! Ha, ha... this topic makes absolutely no sense. I'm all for art, and hey, more bike racks would be great. However, do you really believe that building aesthetically-pleasing (to some) bike racks are going to substantially increase the number of semi-affluent shoppers, dinners, and other patrons -- aka, retail spending? I would LOVE to see this presented as an actual business case.

Pastrami on Rye

IP: 38.115.17.4

Aug 26th, 2008 - 9:47 AM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

First, let me disclose I'm a PhD in Economics.

Second, let me assure you that I was never asleep during any of my eco classes.

Now, my understanding of the original poster's message was not that bike racks would "save small businesses" in NLs. In fact, I didn't see the words "small business" anywhere in that post. I also didn't think the original poster's intent was to find any kind of "magic bullet" to any problem, or to say that bike racks were a panacea to any or to all of NLs problems.

I'm sure most people understand that many of the problems facing NLs non-restaurant retail businesses (or lack thereof) are macroeconomic in nature, and thus mainly out of their control. Examples: rising unemployment, rising commodity prices, bursting of real estate bubble, etc.

That said, it doesn't require the slightest formal knowledge in economics to understand the original poster's idea. Namely, that artistic bike racks would enahnce NLs image and uniqueness, and that they would also provide a place where the city's growing number of cyclists could park their bikes, which would in turn increase the foot traffic in NLs, thereby attracting more consumers to the neighborhood's non-restaurant retail businesses, and thus attracting new non-restaurant retail businesses to the NLs, which would help attract more residents to the neighborhood, and so on.

This would create what we call a "virtuous cycle" (cycling image not intended), and would yield what we call in economic lingo "positive externalities" for NLs. Again, all that's required to understand this is common sense. Eco 101 is entirely optional.

The local muralist Paul Santoleri recently completed a very large, nice mural called "Pedal Thru" right in our neighborhood (2nd & Spring Garden). This mural provides a certain vision of a "cyclist-friendly" Philly. NLNA could help NLs begin to live up to this vision by creating a bike rack design contest similar to that done by NYC and installing the winning designs by next summer.

Where would the money come from? I have some ideas, and I'm sure NLNA has some as well. This is beyond the scope of this post, however, and I must now get back to work.

Meanwhile, I will leave you with a recent, brief video interview the Wall Street Journal did with David Byrne about his artistic bike racks. Maybe this will inspire the NLNA and others to take action. The video is available on YouTube, in case anyone would like to share it with others. Here it is:

Michael

IP: 192.154.91.225

Aug 26th, 2008 - 10:02 AM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

"We may not have a lot of foot traffic yet in NLs, but we can create more 'bike traffic' and thus help our existing local retail businesses and fertilize the ground for future ones to come."

One could assume that "local retail businesses" means small businesses, no?

Snugz

IP: 161.188.204.240

Aug 26th, 2008 - 10:44 AM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

Well, while you guys were slacking, I've already installed 2 "Snugzy" originals in the neighborhood...

You can chain your bikes and Vespas up to these babies...

Matt Ruben

IP: 76.99.31.139

Aug 26th, 2008 - 5:40 PM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

A considerable number of City bike racks should be installed around the neighborhood in about a month. We've just received and returned the maintenance agreement to the Streets Dept.

A bike rack design contest would be an excellent idea as well.

FYI, late this morning someone posing as me, using my matt@nlna.org email address, sent the following email to Bart Blatstein, and to Philebrity Webmaster Joey Sweeney:

"Maybe we can do a NLs bike rack design contest similar to that done by NYC (David Byrne is one of the judges, and some of his bike racks were selected)? I think installing a significant number of artistic bike racks in NLs would do lots of great things for the neighborhood. Matt."

If anyone else reading this has gotten that email, it's not from me.

If anyone here would like to help organize a custom bike rack design contest - and to help fundraise for it - please feel free to contact me.

Thanks!

Best,
Matt
---
Matt Ruben
President, Northern Liberties Neighbors Association
700 N. 3rd St., 1st Floor
matt@nlna.org
www.nlna.org

I'm diggin' it!

IP: 76.99.25.84

Aug 26th, 2008 - 8:36 PM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

Matt, I think a bike rack design contest for NLs is a great idea, and there's a ton of things that could be done for fundraising involving the private sector, the public sector, art foundations and endowments, and individuals. I'll be reaching out to you in the next few days.

I just wanted to throw out there today one idea that would be a lot of fun and should be very successful: Roller Races (a.k.a. Goldsprints) in NLs.

We could ask a number of local businesses that have the space required (such as Johnny Brenda's, Silk City, 700 Club, Yards Brewery, The Fire, North Bowl, etc.) to host the races at their venues.

We could also ask some local bike-related businesses to contribute/sponsor the events in some shape or form. The obvious ones that come to mind: Re-Load, Trophy Bikes, Fuji USA, Cadence Multisport, Bicycle Revolutions, Bilenky, etc.)

Funds would be raised at the race from a cover charge, or a percentage of food & drink proceeds, etc. Funds could also be raised from some sponsors, whether in dollars or in-kind. There can be raffles, etc.

To gave a taste of what a Roller Race or Goldsprint is, see this video of an event held by Rapha (a cycling apparel company from the U.K.) at the North American Hand Made Bicycle Show in Portland, Oregon earlier this year:

Brian

IP: 69.253.133.31

Aug 26th, 2008 - 10:47 PM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

Glad to know everything is going to be OK now. We've got bike racks coming. Wahoo!!! They'll tell us what to do!

Now, let's get crackin' on that monorail. C'mon NLNA! Are you sleeping at the wheel?

high roller

IP: 38.115.17.4

Aug 27th, 2008 - 9:00 AM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

I can totally see a Philebrity Roller Race/Goldsprint fundraising series for artistic NLs bike racks.

Brian

IP: 198.137.214.33

Aug 27th, 2008 - 9:56 AM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

I found the accusation of the NLNA "sleeping at the wheel" to be absolutely ironic since, according to the NLNA web site, the NLNA membership details are as follows:

... we represent the interests of our members. A member is anyone 18 or older who lives here, or who owns or runs a business here.

Presumably, the original poster is a de facto member of the NLNA and is therefore guilty of "sleeping at the wheel". How can we then wake the original poster up?

It would seem the thing to do would be maybe to get a spot on the agenda of an upcoming NLNA board meeting. This might be a wee bit more effective than writing fraudulent emails and anonymously posting on an internet bulletinboard.

And if you ever do serious and realize the correct venue to present your ideas, I would suggest putting a case together that amounts to more than "if you build it, they will come".

Cheesesteak the Impaler

IP: 72.92.114.11

Aug 27th, 2008 - 10:29 AM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

Shush, Brian. Talk like that may lead someone go all "subversive marketer" on you, assume Matt Ruben's ID, and authorize the monorail to be built right through your house. Or worse, set up the "punk rock spinning" fund raiser in your kitchen.

Seriously, I think if people want to get behind some sort of design contest, and serious discussion of implementation, JM's new NL blog in progress may be a good forum for it, thanks to blogger's relative ease of graphics control and more honest identity management among participants.

rack em' up

IP: 38.115.17.4

Aug 27th, 2008 - 10:33 AM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

Here's what David Byrne's racks look like now that they've installed in NYC. I think something similar would be very cool in NLs.

CC

IP: 148.177.1.211

Aug 27th, 2008 - 11:09 AM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

If I saw one of those I would think it was installation art and would definitely not chain my bike to it. Also, many of those bike racks look like they could hold two, maybe three, bikes at a time. If we want more biker riders to frequent the area, why don't we just ask the NLNA to support installation of traditional bike racks that probably cost 1/2 as much and are twice as effective at holding and protecting bikes? Just curious.

rack em' up

IP: 38.115.17.4

Aug 27th, 2008 - 12:54 PM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

As Matt said above, regular city racks are already coming to NLs (next month). Also, these are not the only racks that were selected as part of NYC's contest. There will be hundreds of other racks that will be creative and artistic, yet more traditional and functional than these (not that DB's racks are not entirely functional).

Regarding DB's racks, The NYC DOT explained: "These new racks will be easy to distinguish from the city’s other 5,000 bike racks, but were constructed with steel with a powder coat to resemble the square tubing from which the current racks are made. Additionally, they will bear identifying plaques. DOT is also developing marketing concepts for the racks, including a bike route map to guide cyclists to tour all nine".

For more info: http://nycityracks.wordpress.com/

Because your lips

IP: 76.99.25.84

Aug 28th, 2008 - 7:31 AM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

Hall N' Oates bike rack design for Fishtown?

Potts

IP: 68.87.100.242

Aug 28th, 2008 - 9:52 AM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

I dig the Fish-Rack

Cheesesteak the Impaler

IP: 72.92.114.11

Aug 28th, 2008 - 10:40 AM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

Yeah, isn't there something like that actually in Fishtown?

I'm sorry, Byrne's are too "cookie cutter" which may make sense bec., Byrnes's designs aside, the NYC contest was for NYC's new "signature" bike rack. That is, the city is ultimately looking for something to reproduce and adopt as its standard rack. I don't know how Byrne's or others "art racks" fit into this, but the ones on the actual contest blog are more industrial design than art. Not that there's anything wrong with that. In fact I think a lot of those designs trump Byrne's whimsy.

Tofusteak

IP: 38.115.17.4

Aug 28th, 2008 - 1:01 PM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

Cheeseteak, that's not accurate. DB's 9 racks will only be on the street for a year. After that the city will remove them, and he intends to sell them as art.

Cheesesteak the Impaler

IP: 72.92.114.11

Aug 28th, 2008 - 2:06 PM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

Tofu, what's "not accurate" about saying, "I don't know how DB's racks fit into the NYC contest" and you explaining how they'll be used? The blog your IP address provided explains the broader NYC contest in the terms I outlined. http://nycityracks.wordpress.com/
Show me where I'm not accurate.

Day by Day

IP: 76.99.25.84

Aug 29th, 2008 - 6:21 AM

Re: David Byrne raises bike racks to an art form.

The Hooters' design for a bike rack for the Manayunk Wall?

	NorthernLiberties.org - A Community Bulletin Board - Northern Liberties, Philadelphia
Return to Website