Conference noted::bicycle

    	I'm a member of the Life Center Committee at MKO.  When I brought
    up the issue of a storage shed for X-country skis in winter and
    Bikes in summer to compliment the Life Center Program (since the
    center was supposed to open in February and wasn't ready yet),
    the Personnel and Facilities people on the committee indicated 
    that they would work the shed building issue off line.  Bottom line
    is, we can't bring our bikes in this facility either, and there's
    no shed in sight.  I think you have the right idea about petitioning
    but shouldn't you be petitioning for DRY storage, so you can leave
    your bike without worrying about the elements?  Shouldn't we be
    able to justify the expense of a shed at both of these facilities
    as a extension to the life center, especially for the over 40 group
    that is having a hard time getting in?  How does everyone else feel
    about this and what's the policy on bringing your bike into the
    facility at other sites?
    						Jerry

It seems to me that I once saw once of the subway systems in the nation 
installed bike lockers for use at some of the subway stops. These 
consisted of basically a bike-size steel box (hopefully with vents to 
prevent heat buildup) that the owner locked with his own lock. Even tho 
the box sat outside, the bike was pretty well protected from both theft 
and weather. Most bike racks protect quite little against theft of 
anything but the frame and maybe a wheel or two. Given a secluded spot, 
someone can easily steal a couple hundred bucks worth of parts, even if 
the frame can't be taken!

                                              ken

Re: Bike Shed at MKO
    
    Jerry,
    
    I think that a shed is a great idea!  The main reason why I didn't
    do a lot of riding during lunch last year was having to deal with
    locking my bike up in the car...what a pain!  
    
    Do you (or anyone out there) know the real reasons that facilities
    will not let us take our bikes inside to our offices?  Do you think
    that if enough of us approached facilities in an organized manor
    that we may get the policy changed??  Just wondering.
    
    -rob

>                                                           Do you think
>    that if enough of us approached facilities in an organized manor
>    that we may get the policy changed??  


Anything is possible, but when ZK2 first started up, I had a large number of
discussions with the site manager, and failed to convince him that bicycles
wouldn't burst into flame if brought indoors. I also never convinced him to get
a bike rack that didn't damage bikes (the one between ZK1 and ZK2 chips the
paint on the forks -- this is a well known fault of the model, and I gave him
several published evaluations of different racks, which he chose to ignore). 

Let's face it, the people responsible for facilities are just plain
jealous of people who can enjoy themselves and be fit as part of
their lifestyle. They won't lift a finger to help you unless that
finger sitting in a flame, then they'll only make it look like they're
helping you.

<<wow, it felt good to say that!>>

ed

    I think the right idea is to approach this through the Life Centers.
    
    Drivers are accommodated, joggers are accommodated, motorcyclists
    are accommodated, all in a manner that is appropriate for that mode
    of transportation.  So, why not bicyclists, too?  The whole point
    is to get agreement on what is "appropriate" and this is where we
    could benefit from the relationship that the Life Centers staff
    already has with facilities management.  Everyone beating up on
    facilities staff won't work.  Getting the Life Centers staff to
    consolidate and present the needs within the scope of an already
    accepted corporate program seems more likely of success.
    
    Bob     (currently drive about 2 miles to MKO and leave bike locked
             inside my car except for lunchtime rides rather than ride
             to and from work and have to leave the bike "secured" outside)
    
    
    

    Another idea:  approach your personnel rep for advice about how
    to get Corporate Personnel and Corporate Facilities Management together
    to formulate a CORPORATE POLICY on bike racks/sheds/whatever that
    would apply to *all* facilities (in the US, anyway).  They can't
    very well deny that bicycles are a legitimate form of transportation
    and that the company needs a policy of accommodation governing
    all facilities.  This should *not* be a facility-specific problem.
    The policy should be consistent everywhere, and allow variances
    only where physical space or conditions of lease dictate them.
    
    By the way, don't ask your personnel rep to do this for you.  Probably
    won't work.  Just ask for the proper Corporate Personnel contact
    and start the wheels turning yourself.
    
    We shall o-ver co-o-ome..
    Mac.

    I work at CFO2 and have gotten the O.K. by both the Digital security
    and the facility manager that it is o.k. to leave my bike in my
    office. No back doors, right through the main lobby. Although, I've
    been leaving my bike in my back seat with the doors lock. I find
    it easier for me, just in case I want to ride after work (at home).
    Otherwise, I'ld have to bring it in, in the morning, bring in out
    at night, every day, day after day. When I know I'm not riding after
    work I'll leave it in my office over night (locked). 
    
    Mike 
    

	One possible solution to not having a secure place to put
	your bike:  create a bike that doesn't need security.

	Buy a used bike of the right size with emphasis on low price ($30?).
	Paint it some horrible color.
	Lubricate it well.
	Adjust it to fit.
	Weld or epoxy any part worth removing.

	Leave this bike at work. It doesn't need a rack... just put on
	a kickstand and put a lock through the wheels.  Park it
	anywhere.  Chances are nobody will bother it.

	Keep your good bike at home.  

	Disadvantages:  Cost. Weight. Finish.
	Advantages: Peace of mind.  More exercise.

	Does this make sense?  You could go for a 3-speed w/coaster brake
	model and eliminate many of the exposed parts.

>    	Paint it some horrible color.

    That's what many people do in NYC.  Flat grey paint on brand new
    mountain bikes.  They also remove any flashy stickers or brand names.
    
    

    ref:  .10
    
    Well, in general I agree.  But, I bought a good bike for all the
    normal reasons and want to use it.  I don't want to leave it at
    home only to be used on the weekends.  Now, the best time for me to
    ride is to and from work and at lunch time.  That ride at noon is
    especially important when the days are short...
    
    
    
    

        The suggestion earlier about working to get a corporate-wide
        policy is sound.  Likewise, the suggestion about working through
        the "Wellness Centers" is sound.  I, too, would like to be able to
        have the option of riding a bicycle to work, and without a secure
        place to leave it during the working day, that's not an option. 
        
        Is there enough interest in doing this to organize a small
        committee to go off and make it happen?  If not, we can keep on
        commiserating among ourselves, but the lack of consistency among
        facilities won't change, and we won't have safe, secure bike
        storage at all facilities. 
        
        Tom

    I know that those of us in "the field" would sure prefer a
    corporate-wide policy.  Most facilities don't have Wellness
    Centers (whatever they are!), and if it was associated with them,
    only a very tiny minority of DEC facilities would have racks.
    	We have about 6 people in my group alone that ride during lunch
    hour.  We are currently keeping the bikes in an unused office, but
    we are moving to another building at the end of the month, even
    closer to the bike trail, but the Facilities person is being a real
    jerk.....
    	We'd really LOVE to have a corporate policy!!!!
    

                 <<< VIKING::$2$DUA9:[WASSER]BICYCLE.NOTE;1 >>>
                                -<  Bicycling  >-
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Note 322.2                my new bike won;t like rain!!                   2 of 7
AMUN::CRITZ "Ya know what I mean, Vern"              22 lines  21-MAY-1987 08:37
                         -< Next it'll be Harley hogs >-
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    	Ya'll get ready for a good one. I talked to the Facilities
    	person here. He said that it was against policy to allow
    	anyone to bring a bike into the building (LJO2 - Littleton,MA).
    
    	He said, "You give people a little room, and the next thing
    	you know they'll want to start bringing their motorcycles
    	in here." I swear to you, he was dead serious. After I
    	recovered from the shock of his statement, I pointed out
    	that it took quite an imagination to progress from maybe
    	2 or 3 people occasionally bringing bikes in to the
    	motorcycle riders demanding to do the same. I swear to
    	you in all honesty, this guy was dead serious.
    
    	My only concern was that when I start riding to work from
    	home, it will be a 52 mile commute round trip. And I
    	pointed out that I was only concerned about bringing it
    	in if (for some reason) I felt to tired to make the
    	26 miles home. Luckily, I have friends here with pickups
    	and homes close where I can leave the bike if I prefer.
    
    	But, it's some story, and worth the telling.
    	Scott

    	Locate the Personnel Manager for Facilities in your organization
    and ask if He/She can locate some unused space for the purpose of
    storing bikes used *primarilary* (sp?) for transportation.  I'm
    finding that using this appraoch may achieve limited success.  It's
    not corporate policy, but if it serves the immedate purpose its
    worth the effort.  As far as the Life Center (Wellness Center in
    ZKO) goes, forget it.  Its outside of their charter right now while
    they are in the formation stages.  I'd say that by next year at
    this time if we start making a lot of noise, and there is a lot
    more interest in bike riding aside from the  regular bikeies, it
    *might* get some consideration.  For the time being, work thru
    Personnel in facilities.  They seem to be willing to work with us
    if our needs aren't expensive.
    					Jerry