Whenever I am at IKEA, I am struck by how many bike racks there are.
Portland IKEA has included several key factors when placing bike racks:
- Location: these racks are right by the entrance
- Traffic Flow: these racks are neither in the way of people walking, nor are forced to compete with automobile parking
- Amount: there are plenty of bike racks at the front, and others elsewhere
- Style of Rack: while waves are not my favorite, they are not the worst. I can see why buildings choose them--each install, clean, and appear to take up less space (my ideal set up would be a series of staples and if the company wanted easy install, the bottoms of the racks could be welded together on a strip of metal and then the metal installed to the ground)
- Shelter: some of these racks, look back by the building, are in an enclosed area thereby providing good shelter from wind and rain.
- Encouragement: prominent display tells people, "Could you take your bike next time?"
However, for all of the great placement features, these racks are rarely used. I have never seen a bike locked to the racks when I go to IKEA, and only in photos from Katie and David Proctor have I seen a bike by a rack.
Is this IKEA's fault? No. It is the consumer's. It is understood that (a) IKEA is on the outskirts of Portland and it is not a typical bike ride down there; (b) that the route out there is doable, but not the most convenient, nor best if biking with several kids on their bikes; and (c) usually people getting things at IKEA are purchasing bulky items.
What could IKEA and Portland and the Community do to increase bike traffic to IKEA? Here are some starters:
- Save bulky purchases for one trip with a trailer or group of friends. Hell, make it an activity.
- Maybe a reverse Bike Move--from IKEA to home!
- Find a way to get access to a trailer for occasional use, or bur one, or make one.
- There are a number of cargo bike/bike hauling cargo people out there who would love to show off the power of the bike, ask them.
- IKEA bike rack photo Panda!
1 comments:
I especially like 2 & 4. I'd been thinking that helping someone with a move would be a good way to meet new people & see new parts of town. I'd also love to know a good route to IKEA as the MESD office is over that away and I've been avoiding going out there. So put me down as a willing volunteer if you hear of someone that wants to get things home from IKEA.
There's another option too: bike there and have your large purchases delivered.
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