by Tim Schaefer, Sunnyside Resident
Hillhurst Sunnyside is a great neighbourhood to get around on your bicycle. To make the experience of parking your bicycle just a bit easier and a whole lot more secure, the HSCA has recently upgraded the bike racks at the community centre (1320 5 Ave NW).
The two racks at the HSCA were the old wheel-bender style that are sadly still very common in Calgary. This style of rack is intended to hold the bike upright from one of the bike’s wheels, usually the front wheel. Unfortunately, using this type of rack brings the risk of bending the wheel, hence the name “wheel bender”.
More importantly the HSCA racks simply didn’t fit bikes anymore. Bicycles have evolved over the years and most of the bikes that people ride these days, like mountain bikes and e-bikes, simply didn’t fit in the old racks because the openings between uprights were too narrow or not high enough.
To remedy the situation, the bike racks were modified by having all the uprights removed and replaced with metal hoops spaced further apart to fit today’s bikes. Using a hoop instead of an upright provides a locking point that is close to the bike frame, thus making bike parking more secure.
At the time of publishing, only the first rack had been converted, but you can see in the photo that the openings are much wider to fit today’s bikes and the hoops provide a secure locking point.
Next time you are visiting the HSCA come check out the updated bike racks yourself.
A big thank you to the HSCA for supporting active mobility in the community!
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