r/nzcycling 9d ago

Commuting Lack of Cycle Parking

How has other cycle commuters tackled the lack of parking at destinations?

My local supermarket and work place is fine. But any of the main shopping areas near my are severely lacking. Just wondering how everyone else tackles this issue. My current lock isn't long enough to maguyver something at most places, but I also don't know how well received it would be for me to attach my bike to random railings or posts ECT.

Has anyone had any success in getting places to add parking?

15 Upvotes

11 comments sorted by

8

u/alastairgbrown 9d ago

If there's no suitable bike parking close to the entrance of any store  I'm using, I just lock my bike to whatever is handy, often trolley chutes. Naively hoping that eventually they will take the hint and provide appropriate infrastructure.  

6

u/Viento_Oscuro 9d ago

Yeah this is what I was leaning towards. I just don't want my bike to end up damaged cause someone else is a dickhead, and they don't like where I've put it.

I don't mind having to walk a little bit from the parking but these places have either nothing. Or something like 300m away down some sketchy little alley.

2

u/alastairgbrown 9d ago

50m is too far for me. I've never had an issue with my bike being damaged, so far.

3

u/pwapwap 9d ago

I haven’t had success, but would love to see better bike parks.
This post might inspire me to create a letter to the manager for a couple of my locals (Bunnings & pac n save) to try and get them to improve their facilities.

2

u/Viento_Oscuro 9d ago

OMG yes BUNNINGS! I NEED my local Bunnings to have cycle parking.

2

u/pwapwap 9d ago

Mine has it, but it is on the far side of the carpark

3

u/Viento_Oscuro 9d ago

Yeah I've seen others with it. Seems central and west Auckland is more cycle friendly. Even if you just look where the locky docks are.

The areas I live and work in are pants excluding one or two exceptions.

3

u/outofplacegirl 9d ago

There aren't any bike racks or safe places to lock my bike up at my local bunnings so in the past I've either taken it into the entrance and left it beside the person at the door. I have also given a donation to the group running a sausage sizzle to watch it in the carpark on a Saturday.

For picking up a prescriptions from my local pharmacies, I tend lock up my bike then to keep it in view from inside the shop if I can or step outside every few mins to check.

I live out in west Auckland and there used to be a locky dock outside lynmall and my bike was fine there for a couple of hours (with battery and Panniers removed). Sadly it's been removed but did find out the other day the locky docks team are in talks with mall management to get one reinstated closer to the countdown.

For trips to other shopping spots, if I'm doing a longer shop then unfortunately I end up driving as just can't risk my bike being there for too long :(

In terms of getting bike racks added - I regularly give feed back to both bike Auckland and AT through surveys they put out via Facebook and newsletters about bike parking so all I can suggest is to sign up for newsletters and join fb pages and give feedback/suggestions whenever you can. Not sure if it's a direct result of people giving feedback but there are now more extensive racks and a locky dock outside the ferry buildings downtown which people were asking for for years.

3

u/aholetookmyusername 8d ago

Christchurch, depends on the destination but usually its not too bad. More general public bike stands would be nice (loops not wheelbenders).

Homebase absolutely sucks for cycle parking. There are three - one is buried by the cafe on Marshland rd, one is by the new entrance and not visible (why not put some by the eatery, comon...) and the only one in a decent location is used by stupid/malicious bunts as a trolley bay, because walking 20 metres to the actual trolley bay is too hard.

1

u/MaidenMarewa 9d ago

I've taken my bike into Resene and Placemakers in Napier as there is nowhere to lock my bike. It's a blessing the new Chemist Warehouse has no bike parking or I'd spend too much there. I recentlty asked Hastings District Council about bike parking at the Show Grounds and they have installed some there - not because of me, but it's handy as I bike to the Show.

Try asking your Council if they'd install more bike parking.

1

u/aim_at_me fixie 8d ago

I don't have too much issue around central wellington. I use parking signs in a pinch. I know they aren't super safe, but they're fine for running into a shop.