THERE WILL BE BICYCLES AVAILABLE FOR RENT AT ALA ANNUAL IN CHICAGO!
I sent this message to a bunch of lists:
Hi All,
There's been a discussion on the ALA Council list about the merits of providing access to rental bicycles at ALA Annual in Chicago. The convention center and hotels are pretty far apart, so it seems to me that even with the vendor sponsored buses, it will be hard to get to meetings on time and that only the truly dedicated will bother going to events outside their hotel or the convention center.
WOULD people be interested in renting bikes for the week if they were affordable? For me one of the best parts is that the conference falls on Critical Mass day, as well.
If anyone on the NEXGEN or New Librarians list wants to forward this message, I'd be interested in responses from those folks as well. I've sort of been representing this issue to Council as one younger folks (among others) would be interested in, but what do I know? I'm in EARLY middle age!
Jenna
And got these responses (fans, fussbudget, hater):
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm interested.
I'd like a bike! I've seen Critical Mass before in Portland OR, and it was awesome. I don't know where my hotel is in relation to the convention, but I'm sure a bike would help. So if you're setting something up, count me in. I'll be happy to help if I can.
I think this is a super idea, and as a daily Chicago bike commuter, I can promise that a bike is the fastest and cheapest way to get around the loop and downtown area. Now obviously I won't need to rent one, because I live here...but for my two cents: San Diego was nearly ruined for me during Midwinter 2004 by the lack of affordable bike rentals. It was a long walk through a ghost town from my cheap hotel to the convention center, and of course my options for recreation and exploration were limited. I hate to think of the same thing happening to Chicago's guests.
But check out the new Millennium Park Bike Garage. I think they've already done all of the work for you. It's conveniently located within walking distance of most of the major hotels, and within blocks of all of the major train and bus lines - not to mention the lakefront path which leads straight to the convention center. Daily rental is very affordable, and the Chicago "safe routes" bike map is actually one of the best free maps of Chicago I've seen (for drivers and pedestrians, too). They should have plenty of copies to give away.
If the Millennium Park Bike Station isn't already promoting itself in some official capacity to major conventions coming to the city, I would be very surprised and disappointed. But I would also be thrilled if ALA was the first to include them in official transportation and recreation planning and promotion.
(Also: it's too early now, but if you want to meet up with other LUers before or at the Critical Mass, let's discuss it as the date approaches.)
Responding to FUSSBUDGET, below:
...High density urban areas are among the most sensible areas in which to ride, silly. You'll be writing biku** in no time at all.
...I don't think Jenna is talking about having ALA coordinate numerous bike rentals, I think she's talking about having a professional bike rental service nearby and on hand in an official capacity. Such companies provide locks for their bikes, and have liability and theft insurance and all that stuff. Just as if you had flown into Midway and rented a car with an ALA coupon. But faster, and cheaper, and healthier, and oh so much cooler. And without a trunk, so yes, bring your own panniers/backpacks/messenger bags. (Come to think of it, foxy librarian MESSENGER BAGS would be a welcome variation on some familiar convention swag. Are you listening, Elsevier?)
I don't think the hotels have bike racks of their own, per se, but there are bike racks on almost every block in commercial areas of Chicago, including downtown. And I don't see why a hotel wouldn't let you roll your bike up to your room.
Here, you can legally lock to meters, the ubiquitous racks, and even street signs. Avoid the street signs - some of them are ringers - that is, they can be pulled up from their base and your bike will be taken.
However, you cannot legally park on park benches, or those movable barrier things that they use for crowd control during parades and festivals, even though they look almost exactly like bike racks.But looking at ALA's hotel map, I now see that the lakefront path will actually take you within a couple of blocks of some hotels. So the biking looks more practical than I had originally thought.
Great idea.
Sounds like a great idea. I'd be for it!
I think that biking in Chicago could be fun, although I am going to use the extensive bus and train system in Chicago.
For instance, anyone staying in hotels 4, 5, 16, and 21 could take the CTA BUS # 3, which runs along North Michigan to the Convention. From hotel 4, where I am staying, that's 3 miles. I hesitate to take on a foreign city by bicycle during my first visit, although it could be fun on another occasion.
Traveling by bus or train is fairly cheap, too. One could by a multi-day visitor pass for unlimited travel throughout the City. I am staying from Friday to Tuesday, so the 5 day pass for $18 will suit me fine and allows me to explore Chicago relatively hassle free.I think this would be a great idea and I would support it; however for those of us who are willing but not so much able to ride a manual bike for long distances or because of arthritis - perhaps renting Mopeds or Scooters as well would be another way to go. Interesting idea!
I would like to rent a bike if it was affordable. I believe it is a great idea!
Although I couldn't use a bike in Chicago, due to health reasons, what about bus/el passes, like we had in Atlanta? I'm not sure if ALA got them for us, or it Atlanta gave them to us, but it might be worth looking into.
Actually, Chicago is a fairly bike-friendly city. No hills to worry about, bike lanes galore, bike racks on all CTA buses. It's easy enough to find bike racks in commercial areas; if those are full, lock your bike to a parking meter. I've never been ticketed/reprimanded once.
The City of Chicago's painfully slow website has tons of information about biking.I think it would be great if ALA promoted bicycling for the conference. As a former Chicago resident, June is one of the best months for biking around Chicago, and it would be a great way to introduce people to Chicago.
Chicago's Millennium Park has bike parking, shower, and bike rental. Here's the link for more info. You will have to check with the hotels to see if they have bike racks in their parking garages.Saw your post on Nextgen. I think bikes would be a great idea, provided they were cheap and it didn't take too long to pick one up. I went to ALA the last time it was in Chicago, and we walked a lot of places, so bikes would be even better.
Excellent question!
I used to join the occasional mass back home in Boston. I suppose I would count myself among those interested in renting a bicycle at ALA. I think this is a great idea, and were rentals affordable, I would partake.I would LOVE to have access to a bike for transportation while I was there and I'm middle aged too :)
As a library student who loves to explore places on bike, I think it's a GREAT idea.
I saw your message on the Next Generation listserv, and I'd be very interested in bike rentals. Great idea! What an excellent idea! I would definitely take advantage of bike rentals, and think that people on my committees would as well. Thanks!
what would the liability be? Would they have locks with them or would renters have to provide their own? what if one were stolen/damaged? (presumably these would be covered in a rental contract, but the question comes to mind)
What about injury? To the rider or others.
do all hotels where conference stuff will be have bike racks? I believe it is illegal in lots of cities to chain bikes to parking meters, 'pavement trees', etc.
would someone make 'safe bike route' maps for conference attendees?
We all carry a ton of crap with us to/from sessions--would the bikes have carriers/saddlebags? (yeah, I know anyone with sense would use a backpack or messenger bag, but you're assuming a lot of sense...)
I think it's a great idea to reduce congestion and provide some exercise for attendees stuck on their butts for three days. I just think it needs some detail work.
This would be SUCH a bad idea - the traffic alone will be a problem. Not to mention all the people not knowing where to go, or park their bikes when they get there. Hotels will not be set up to handle bike parking, let alone guarantee their safety while people are in meetings. McCormick Place should be, but I know I wouldn't want to try to race around Chicago with a load of papers/books/stuff on a bicycle.
If Critical Mass is planning a day during ALA, I really hope they get stopped. They're dangerous for public safety and health - I've seen them block ambulences, take over streets and sidewalks and generally make such a nuisence of themselves that they hurt, not help, their cause.Collected and Additional Links
Bike and Roll: $9.99 per day, four-day minimum, group rates available for ten or more.
*Fussbudget is a code name created by me, not by the person who wrote this message.
**Bicycle-themed haiku. The person who wrote this message is responsible for this term.
last updated 07/13/2006 by jenna freedman