Anyone had a bike stolen from any of the parking garages that allow bikes to park? I am loathe to point out which one I am interested in, lest some thief monitoring the boards target my baby. I know, I'm being paranoid, but...
Also, does anyone know if most renter's insurance would cover bike theft if not actually from your apartment? It seems like it should, but I'm not clear. Has anyone tried to claim this before and succeeded? Of course I will check my policy and ask my company, but am afraid if I bring it up and then have to file a claim ever, they will suspect it is not legit. Then again, I would hate to wait until, gd forbid, something actually happened and I was stuck.
Bike Parking in Manhattan
Wed, 04/26/2006 - 8:40am
Wed, 04/26/2006 - 8:53am
#1
Get a cheap commuting bike
Go vintage, or get a single-speed or fixed gear from NYC Bikes, Bikeworks, Habitat, or others.
Specialized, Giant, other big manufacturers are now selling them, typically with fixed/free rear hub. You can get one for $500 or less (I hear) when NYC Bikes in Brooklyn runs a pre-season sale. http://www.bikesnyc.com/
I would never leave one of my babies locked anywhere in NYC. Never.
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A lightweight fixed gear will give you an excellent morning workout!
Good luck. Keep in mind that once you make a couple of claims against renters insurance (as I did), you may get a strong-arm letter advising you to increase your deductible.
Wed, 04/26/2006 - 9:14am
#2
Ah, should have mentioned that the reason I want to park my bike there is to fit in a pre-work workout in the park. I do have a hybird that I feel much better about riding and locking up around town, but if I road that for my CP loops, there is no way I could keep up with my training partners.
Good advice for commuters, though!
Thu, 04/27/2006 - 11:22am
#3
I have parked in two separate garages over the past four years and have never had a problem. But in both garages my bike was locked in a dirty, secluded corner where anyone with a hacksaw could have freely worked away for hours. The lesson: I've been lucky. If you cannot afford to have your bike stolen, don't lock in anywhere in NYC.
I was recently parking my bike in a garage near Grand Central--with permission from the garage manager--but was permanently banned the other day by the MTA police, who said I was blocking a fire lane (which I wasn't).
Bike to Work Month is only four days away! Whoopee.
Wed, 04/26/2006 - 9:18am
#4
near 26th and Madison
Does anyone know a good place to park a bike near 26th and Madison?
Thu, 04/27/2006 - 8:15am
#5
24th & Lexington
There are a lot of bike racks in front of Baruch College. Though unattended, there are always a lot of people outside the main entrance to the college.
To request a rack near your workplace, go to www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/bikeped/bikerack.html
I have heard that the program is actually pretty responsive.
Thu, 04/27/2006 - 9:58am
#6
not on the Upper East Side
I agree that it's good to request racks, and in the example here the request might produce results. Unfortunately, if the racks you request are for the Upper East Side, they probably won't materialize. The community board has to approve the requests up here, and they don't like bike racks. I'm 0 for 4 with rack requests in my 'hood.
Hannah
Thu, 04/27/2006 - 11:17am
#7
Sounds like that Community Board is due for some pressure from the cycling world.
Mon, 05/01/2006 - 12:12pm
#8
wheel stolen there recently
My swim team practices at Baruch, and one of my teammates recently had a wheel stolen from a bike locked out front there. I suspect he had done a crappy locking job, but this spot is really no better (or worse) than anywhere else you could park. He said the security staff, who have camera display monitors at their desk, were no help.
Hannah
Mon, 05/01/2006 - 12:47pm
#9
Bolts
I've parked there one night a week for two years without incident, using a single Krypto chain. But my wheels are bolted on, not quick release. Guess I'm lucky no one with a wrench who needed a 700x23 front wheel walked by. And I'm done with classes in three weeks.
