Bike parking at Wadsworth Atheneum

Today on my ride into work, I decided to park my bike at the public, very visible bike posts on the side of The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art. This was in lieu of where I normally park it, in my office. (Alternatively, there is an employee bike rack behind the building that is cumbersome to get to at times). Why did I make this decision? Answers after the jump...

For starters, not enough people seem to know the public bike rack is there, despite it's visibilty. Therefor, I've rarely seen it used. It's close to the front entrance and can park at least 6 bikes. By parking it in a prominent location, I'm hoping it gets people to think about biking (whereas by storing it in my office I'm just hiding it). Perhaps by parking our bikes everywhere, businesses and city hall will start to realize they need to give us more bike public bike racks.

The second reason was that I was inspired by Erika Gore's essay in The Hartford Courant and the reactions it created in those that I know who read it. My friends and I talk about improving things so that people will react like Erika, and give Hartford more than just a chance; they will actually join us in improving things. By riding to work and parking the bike in plain view in front, I'm declaring that a) Hartford is bike commuting city, b) I'm not afraid to leave something as valuable as my bike out in the city, and c) this is how I roll.

Ok, slightly over optimistic, you say? I know there are those who will find something to be negative about, but after the last few years I've had, I'm done with letting things beat me down. We have to take a stand. This city is home to a lot of good people and can be home to many more. We should encourage that instead of discouraging it and forcing people to 'drive into work' or look for work in other places.

But that's just how I feel. By the way, my bike is looking lonely out there. Why don't you all come check out some art and park up next to it?