I got a ticket last night while parked at COC. But not the usual kind:
Dear College of the Canyons:
Thank you for your kind note. I’m glad you found the time to enforce parking standards even inside your building. You’re certainly very efficient!
Yes, I parked and locked my bike under the stairs and out-of-the-way inside the nicely-appointed lobby of your shiny new University Center. I know this must have surprised you, but rest assured I wasn’t trying to be troublesome, I just wanted a secure place to lock my bike.
See, our City’s municipal code (17.18.105) requires that buildings like the University Center have bicycle parking. But, unfortunately for me and anyone else who wants to ride to COC, there is no bicycle rack installed at the UC. Oh sure, there’s some down on the main campus, but that’s quite a hike, almost a quarter mile! You don’t expect UC students with cars to park that far away, so why should I?
You went to the trouble of building a beautiful new building and a giant ocean of asphalt for cars, but you forgot to install a simple bicycle rack out front for those of us who are actually interested in reducing the amount of cars on the road and in the parking lot.
Your suggestion that I lock my bike to a “pole” is a non-starter, I’m afraid. Poles serve as structures that hold important signs that convey information. They are not bicycle parking devices. I do not want to worry about my bike falling over or God forbid, on someone if it’s locked to a pole.
Fortunately for you, we cyclists don’t require much space. Just a few square feet of pavement in front of the building or behind it with a bolted-down device that we can lock our bikes to. You can go for the cheap and unsightly ones like this:
or you could spend a little extra money and get a nice bike rack befitting such a nice and modern building like this:
or this:
and then you could issue a press release touting how sustainable, green, and bike-friendly your campus has become. Who knows, you might even get coverage in the local paper.
COC, you and I have had a long and positive relationship. You’re tops in my book, the best run institution in all of the SCV I’d hate to see it go sour over something as simple as this. But we need bike racks. Even Westfield Patios installed bike racks. Are you really going to let something as pedestrian as the mall outdo you?
In short, please install legitimate bike racks at the University Center and I will gladly secure my bike to it. Until then, I remain
Very Sincerely Yours,
Jeff Wilson
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You see what happens, when somebody is one of the 52 most influential people in SCV! Did you leave a reply like “Do you know who I am?”
Jeff, you need a significant emotional experience to change your behavior.
They should have moved (tossed) your bike outside.
Next time, chain it to Cash’s inflated sense of self worth. Plenty of room for all!!
When I agree with Jeff that the COC should install bike racks, the only thing I hear back from a couple of people is `Scott, you sound like a cyclist.’
I say, `That’s good. If that’s what you think I am because I happen to believe in bike racks, I’m a proud cyclist. You’re darn right I am.’
(oh yes I did)
Yer dern tootin!
Maybe Trader Joes will install the bike rack for them?
Jeff, if you are paying a parking pass to access the parking lot, then you should have a place to park your bike. If not, quit complaining. How many bike racks would be sufficient in your view?
School are going broke and you and your buddies want to force the bike agenda while complaining public education cost too much!
With everyone touting the benefits of green living, I’m surprised there’s not a bike rack at every building to encourage students (and teachers) to give their cars an occasional day off.
Maybe I’m not thinking creatively, but how the heck do you stand/lock your bike to those oh-so-stylish racks you pictured?
ND, at least they said “please”!!
GF
not sure how the issue is related to anyone’s self worth, but I have learned that you generally have little of value to offer.
Joking aside, maybe sponsorship of a rack by local businesses would be a good idea– racks get installed, no cost to the school, and ads for local businesses.
Then again, the school union people would probably prohibit such a logical and low cost approach. They’d have to install a state-approved rack and pay some guy $100/hour to install it, while being watched by a newspaper-reading supervisor or two.
Cash:
Wow. Just relax man. Just asking for a few bike racks, as required by city ordinance! Like 2 or 3.
Spine:
Everything in the University Center has a corporate sponsor. Every classroom plaque shows who helped pay for it. Even the fountain at the rear of the building says “Courtesy Newhall Land.”
COC went out of their way to get private money for the UC…
Cash:
I’m sorry. I momentarily forgot that only what YOU have to offer is of any worth. But that seems a bit inflated, me thinks.
Kisses.
Spineflower2 says: February 24, 2010 at 11:01 amJoking aside, maybe sponsorship of a rack by local businesses would be a good idea– racks get installed, no cost to the school, and ads for local businesses.
That is a great idea and no cost to the school.
Jeff,
The “I am just asking for a few……” has led to the state, city and county going broke. When is enough enough. I will say that the money spent on the Van Hook part of the signage would have been better spent on bike racks for the students.
GF.
Thanks again for your insight, it is very helpful.
Better call Petz. I’m sure he will hound them into submission!
I was thinking, next time maybe you should chain it to the front door for the added effect.
Petz says to send the note to Chancellor Dianne G Van Hook – that girl is a mover and a shaker who can get anything done.
Perhaps Chancellor Hook can donate a bike rack or two!
Jeff,
That’s crazy that the University Center doesnt have a bike rack.
While the City has a municipal code requiring bicycle parking it doesnt apply to COC. Since COC is a state institution, all planning and construction is conducted through state offices (not sure what the actual office is called though). From time to time, COC may work with the City on certain issues but the City has no jurisdiction over COC. I heard the City was pissed off about the University Center being visible from I-5 and building into the hillside adjoining the freeway.
COC is similar to public school districts, the City has no jurisdiction on their planning of them.
Jeff, agree with the sentiment, but yeah, what Linda said.
The only time that I’m aware of the city having say over things at COC was with the Java & Jazz and later Coffee Kiosk would-be freestanding drive-thru.
Cash:
Anytime, sugarhips. I’m here to please.
On the topic:
I have friend who custom welds bike racks, things of beauty. He recently installed some in East LA, pics soon.
OK, now I understand your motive.
Perhaps you and your buddy can donate a rack and get a plaque!
Jeff:
Your right. Both the City and likely Department of State Architects would have required bike racks. But seeing as how there is little to no oversight on construction projects by either entity, it is not surprising there are no bike racks. COC probably ran out of money and this was an item that was “value engineered” out of the budget.
Supreme Chancellor Von Hook gets paid more than most of the faculty at COC combined.
I’m sure someone worth that much can make a quick phone call and have a rack installed asap. And then she can look at you and kill you with lasers that shoot out of her eyes if she wanted to.
Wow, 30 posts in just a couple of hours on the subject of co-ed racks.
Ahem.
On the diligence of the Supreme Chancellor:
After the Vital Express Blowout the signage announcing the “Vital Express Center” was still up. The Signal inquired and some facilities functionary at COC said there was no money to remove them. I am sure Supreme Chancellor Van Hook read the story because those signs were GONE NEXT DAY!
During a recent company password audit, it was found that a blond Chancellor was using the following password:
“MickeyMinniePlutoHueyLouieDeweyDonaldGoofySacramento”
When asked why she had such a long password, she said she was told her password had to be at least 8 characters long and include at least one capital.
Good one CASH!
“I’m sure someone worth that much can make a quick phone call and have a rack installed asap. And then she can look at you and kill you with lasers that shoot out of her eyes if she wanted to.”
And here I was scared when I was blogging about Kellar
Sounds like you need to go to a Board meeting and argue your point, Jeff.
Did you know that Scott Wilk controls 8 of the 12 bike racks at COC? Although his bike license has expired, he was a registered bike rider through 2008, when he represented interests that wanted to build more racks.
Hi Jeff,
You are definitely right that we need bike racks, and in fact, there ARE bike racks at the University Center at COC. The rack, which holds about a 1/2 dozen bicycles, is on the western edge of the building near the AOC flagpole. It’s located conveniently about 30 yards from the front door of the main entrance.
The rack has been there since we opened the building. I can send you photos if you need help locating it.
Happy riding;-))
Ouch. Owned.
I never thought to look there. Isn’t that the high school part of the building?
Believe it or not, I did ask someone at the UC front desk three weeks ago and they said it hadn’t been installed yet.
My apologies for making a fuss.
I really like your University Center though.
Ms. Van Hook already has a self gratifying signage hanging from the west wall of the center, no need to hang a jersey ND.
No problem Jeff. What are you going to do with all those crow feathers?
By the way Jeff, about a 1/2 dozen sounds like a lot more bike spaces than about 6 spaces.
Getting work for my buddy wasn’t a motive, Cash. He’s actually backlogged for months. But thanks for thinking of him, you sweet thing you!
Perhaps he needs a laxative!
There has to be a way to work “back-peddle” in here somewhere.
You can’t be serious! Grow a pair and man up! This could quite possibly be the whiniest/lamest excuse for not following the rules I’ve ever read on the intertubes:
“Poles serve as structures that hold important signs that convey information. They are not bicycle parking devices. I do not want to worry about my bike falling over or God forbid, on someone if it’s locked to a pole.”
GangFang: You are my favorite commentator. Hilarious.
kisses! hahaha
Thanks for the correction, Jeff, but you were right to complain. Even though the bike racks are marked on our new maps, few staff and students know about them. We’re trying to fix that and I appreciate your help increasing awareness.
BTW, I hadn’t counted the bike spaces – just made a careless eyeball estimate. So for accuracy’s sake: the rack has 16 spaces. I wish they were not empty most of the time. Let’s try to fill them up.
Glad you like the UCEN! We do too;-)
Olenka: Don’t encourage me!