Nice Job!  The Jewish Community Center in Squirrel Hill installed a nice bike rack directly on Forbes Ave.  Squirrel Hill has seen some cycling improvements lately, with the new bike lanes on Wightman and Beacon Streets and new shoulder (and future bike lane) on Forbes Ave to Braddock Ave.

Sometimes, end of trip amenities like secure places to lock your bike is as important as on-street facilities.  A lack of secure bike parking will prevent some people from riding if they percieve that thier bike may get stolen or vandalized.  There’s a new website out there to explain the ins and outs of bike parking, and to document best practices.  Called Bicycles at Rest, it has lots of ideas for bike parking ranging from the creative to the simple, but with an emphasis on the practical.  Architects and building managers, if they install bike parking at all, too often choose racks that don’t properly or securely lock bicycles.  Racks don’t have to do much except be strong and support the frame so that the bike doesn’t fall over.  They also have to be placed in a visable and intuitive location.

We also have a guide for those interested in installing bike racks at their building.  Included on that page is a sample letter that you can send to your favorite businesses requesting that they install bike racks to accommodate their cycling customers.

Way to go JCC!