Ann Arbor installs bike 'fix-it' stand for downtown cyclists
The fix-it stand that was installed outside of the city Municipal Center
Fix-it stand at 301 E. Huron
The city of Ann Arbor is showing downtown cyclists some love on this year's Bike to Work Day, an annual event sponsored by The League of American Bicyclists.
The city installed a bicycle “fix-it' stand Friday morning in front of the Ann Arbor Municipal Center at 301 E. Huron St., according to a press release.
The stand, which is located next to the Justice Center's bike racks, contains a variety of tools including an air pump and a hanger arm which gives commuting cyclists the ability to repair and maintain their bikes.
A commuting station was set up this morning by Downtown’s Commuter Challenge Program, a competition throughout the month of May that encourages Ann Arbor employees to walk, bike, carpool, or take public transportation to work.
Commuters that stopped by one of the eight stations located around town enjoyed free food and the chance to win prizes. Those that stopped by the City Hall station were also able to learn about the new fix-it station.
Comments
buildergirl
Sun, May 19, 2013 : 1:15 a.m.
For those complaining the city does nothing for drivers, they did install electrical car chargers at most of the parking structures.
Ken
Sat, May 18, 2013 : 6:04 p.m.
Cyclists remain the privileged class in Ann Arbor, costing taxpayers plenty for all the amenities the city doles out to these environmental saviors.
RUKiddingMe
Sat, May 18, 2013 : 5:42 p.m.
so, no, then, on getting rhe cost of this? Does anyone know how we can find out a cost on these, or does it require an expensive FOIA request?
djm12652
Sat, May 18, 2013 : 4:02 p.m.
will it also include laws regarding cycling? Like for those id-yats that blow past cars waiting at a red light and zip through the intersection...numerous times when I've been crossing legally I've had to jump back and jerk my dogs out of the way....or as I was driving east on Liberty and a young lady turned right in front of me by blowing HER red light then proceeded to tell me PEDESTRIANS have the right of way...a bike has pedals yes...but that doesn't make the mode of transportation pedestrian! I live and BIKE downtown as well...
thehawk
Sat, May 18, 2013 : 3:22 p.m.
This looks like it: http://www.dero.com/products/fixit/ and it has a QR code to scan with your phone or tablet that links you to bike repair instructions. Pretty nifty. Oh, and the tools are tethered.
djm12652
Sat, May 18, 2013 : 3:59 p.m.
true...but a pair of good wire cutters can manage that...just like cabled bike locks.
vicki honeyman
Sat, May 18, 2013 : 2:43 p.m.
way cool!
Stewart G. Griffin
Sat, May 18, 2013 : 2:17 p.m.
My only concern is what the city may be planning on installing next in front of city hall in recognition of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness month!
RUKiddingMe
Sat, May 18, 2013 : 1:23 p.m.
It seems kind of odd that there's no cost of this in here. Can we get that please? Cost of each unit and installation, or overall for all units/installation? Chelsea?
The Picker
Sat, May 18, 2013 : 1:06 p.m.
No mention of cost per station ? I guess when you can spend other peoples money without consequence, why bother to inform them.
Brad
Sat, May 18, 2013 : 12:39 p.m.
Actually that has a pretty nice industrial design. But just throw a string of blue xmas lights on it and it will fit right in with the other aesthetic blunders on that corner.
Ms1215919
Sat, May 18, 2013 : 12:34 p.m.
Now if we can encourage, make that insist, that bicyclists use bells or say something to announce their approach and slow down as they pass those of us on foot that would be nice..and oh so much safer....and courteous1
Brad
Sat, May 18, 2013 : 12:23 p.m.
So when do we get these around the rest of the city where the people live?
motorcycleminer
Sat, May 18, 2013 : 12:06 p.m.
I agree with some of the other comments ..this is " Car discrimination " nothing new in Oz... as taxpayers we deserve fair and equal treatment..A lube rack with an attendant in a crisp white uniform and cap...might save the city another law suit....and its a damn site harder to steal...
Nicholas Urfe
Sat, May 18, 2013 : 2:45 p.m.
Your want fair? How about we dedicate 3% of the transportation budget to bikes. That would be millions a year. Though it could be argued bikes should get more than 3%, since about half of homes have bikes.
Jake
Sat, May 18, 2013 : 11:44 a.m.
Great! When will they put up a car lift so I can do maintenance on my car! And don't forget to have a full set of mechanics tools available.
Homeland Conspiracy
Sat, May 18, 2013 : 2:48 p.m.
What do we need? Car Lift! When do we need then? NOW!!! What do we need? Car Lift! When do we need then? NOW!!!
Dirty Mouth
Sat, May 18, 2013 : 11:27 a.m.
Thank goodness! This is so important. Especially with our crumbling infrastructure and AAPS budgets being slashed! Whew...
A2comments
Sat, May 18, 2013 : 11:05 a.m.
What did it cost? Will they keep track of how many people use it?
Ron Burgandy
Sat, May 18, 2013 : 6:53 a.m.
Where is the car hoist? As a motorist I feel my civil liberties are being violated by the City for not allowing me equal access to perform oil changes, brake jobs, muffler repairs on my car on City property! I'm calling the ACLU or at the very least the AAA! Mr. Goodwrench and I are filing a class action lawsuit Monday morning! (It's Ann Arbor.....someone has to complain about something!)
leaguebus
Sat, May 18, 2013 : 5:21 a.m.
I have biked to work daily for about 30 years and never used to see many other of my ilk in the winter, but since Bike to Work day, bike lanes, and other organized activities, I have noticed a lot more year round daily commuters. It has taken a while to see the changes but my thanks to the bike advocates who keep plugging away making things better for cyclists and walkers.
charlotte m.
Sat, May 18, 2013 : 4:16 a.m.
I would need a person to fix it as well as the tools...
peter
Sat, May 18, 2013 : 2:55 a.m.
It doesn't match the rest of downtown. There is no SAES label on it.
Homeland Conspiracy
Sat, May 18, 2013 : 2:44 p.m.
It's early
Paul
Sat, May 18, 2013 : 2:23 a.m.
Very nice, now will people take care of it ?
Ellis Sams
Sat, May 18, 2013 : 12:05 a.m.
If you build it, they will bike?
An Arborigine
Sat, May 18, 2013 : 12:02 a.m.
I'm as quick as anyone to criticize AA's over-emphasis on "non-motorized transort", but as a part-time cyclist, this is a nice feature and a couple more would be welcome. I assure you that motorists annoy good cyclists as much as bad cyclists annoy motorists, it is all about communication and obeying the respective laws folks.
Dog Guy
Fri, May 17, 2013 : 11:37 p.m.
And all these years I've been doing it wrong by flipping my bike over onto handlebars and seat to use my attached toolkit and pump! What are the Ann Arbor City Bicycle Technician's hours at each of these eight repair stations?
Nicholas Urfe
Sat, May 18, 2013 : 2:41 p.m.
Flipping a bike over rips the seat. Once you rip the cover the seat quickly becomes trash.
Paul
Sat, May 18, 2013 : 2:30 a.m.
Yeah, try adjusting the shifting cables with the bike upside down. The bike needs to be in the position you ride to adjust everything just right. Its one thing to putt around the block and another to ride 5-10 miles at speeds 25-30 mph
Shi Schultz
Fri, May 17, 2013 : 11:15 p.m.
By the photo, it is set into concrete, but I wonder how long until the "variety of tools including an air pump" are stolen
nunya
Fri, May 17, 2013 : 10:43 p.m.
Discretionary spending at its finest
Nicholas Urfe
Sat, May 18, 2013 : 2:40 p.m.
Sure. Just like sidewalks and streetlights.
nickcarraweigh
Fri, May 17, 2013 : 10:32 p.m.
You have to wonder what a graffitti artist could do with that thing.
TheDiagSquirrel
Fri, May 17, 2013 : 10:27 p.m.
Is there enough room around it to pull up a car to inflate the tires?
garrisondyer
Sat, May 18, 2013 : 4:49 a.m.
Remember when gas stations provided free air? I wonder if the Amoco/BP on Green and Plymouth still has their old one. The ones where you have to go get quarters to use drive me batty.
Paul
Sat, May 18, 2013 : 2:32 a.m.
Gas stations can charge us $4 for a gallon of fuel, yet they do not have to provide air hoses for its customers.
David Frye
Sat, May 18, 2013 : 1:16 a.m.
Inflating a car tire with a bike pump is great exercise -- you have to pump it about a thousand times (I've had to do this...).
Tom Joad
Fri, May 17, 2013 : 10:25 p.m.
Cool, now I can bring my Park Tools and wrench on my bike on some lazy afternoon.
towncryer
Fri, May 17, 2013 : 10:25 p.m.
A lot of times bicyclists drive me crazy while i'm driving (and i'm sure the feeling is mutual ;), but this is a pretty neat idea.
Paul
Sat, May 18, 2013 : 2:33 a.m.
Same with some of the motorists, what can you do ?
Ann English
Fri, May 17, 2013 : 10:19 p.m.
Does "installed" mean set into the pavement so that they cannot be carried off by thieves?