My Transportation Diary

SEEKING THE PERFECT BIKE RACK I'm trying to do research on bike racks--for our church, where the bicycle population has been growing rapidly (yay!). And the introvert's favorite research tool, the Internet, is letting me down. I may have to attempt to track down my questions by talking to real people, on the phone... What's the difference between stainless steel and "hot-dipped galvanized after fabrication," besides the 200% price difference? (stainless steel is the expensive one, don't be fooled by the fancy name of the other...) What are the relative advantages and disadvantages of the different rack styles? I see the U-winder-style racks everywhere--does that mean they are officially "the best"? Or are they just the latest trend? Personally, I sometimes have a hard time negotiating my bike into one of these racks, and getting my U-lock to fit around all the parts it needs to fit around, if there are a lot of other bikes parked there. (Is the letter "U" the official sponsor of bicycle security?) Some of the other rack styles looked like they might be easier to work with--but what will I find out about these bike racks, after it's too late to go back? It seems safest to follow the crowd...

And how much space do you need to allow on all sides of the rack? Between the wall and the walking spaces and the bushes and the door... Do we need a permit from the city to install a bike rack? Conversely, will Berkeley offer us any help in installing the bike rack? How much will installation cost? How do you attach something to concrete? How and where do I find a professional bike rack installer? And most importantly--what questions am I forgetting to ask? What issue surrounding this bike rack will be the subject of intense controversy at the next all-church meeting?

BELOVED Along Berkeley's Bicycle Boulevards, someone has meticulously painted the letters E O E between the large letters B L V D that appear with the bicycle symbol on the pavement. What does it mean? Is it vandalism? Or something more subtle? What is the definition of vandalism anyway? I guess I've always thought of vandalism as something inherently destructive, something that is simply about defacement, because you're p----- off at the world and all that. Berkeley has this odd way of challenging my notions about everything. Literally, of course, it is destructive, will cost the city money, my tax dollars at work. But this was clearly a premeditated act, something of a professional job, that evokes literary connotations, that provokes at least enough thought for me to write this blog. Then again, maybe I'm just running out of things to think about on my bike rides.