Slider Inn Bicycle Rack

Slider Inn is a new restaurant recently opened in Midtown that serves tiny burgers. As we rode into the parking lot to lock up at their bike rack I caught a flat. Not just a regular flat, but a tire slashing, hafta put a dollar bill between the tube and tire type of flat. Once that was fixed we went in and cooled off with a cold beer and ordered some tiny burgers and sandwiches (they also have mini chicken sandwiches). Best part: spicy mayonnaise. Post cyclocross races: beer, frites, and spicy mayo.

Here's how it racks up:

Form - Standard
Function - Pass
Environment - Doesn't match but does have its own dedicated space.
Points of Interest - Slider Inn

El Toro Loco Bicycle Rack

Man I have been craving some Mexican food. We have some chips and Pancho's cheese dip (only the best) at home but I want to save it for when we make quesadillas or tacos. But I'll probably end up going out for Mexican before that! You know, when El Toro Loco moved in and covered that patio I, as I'm sure many others were disappointed, but the food is good and that's what keeps me coming back. Then they installed bike racks and later put up the front patio; I just wish it was a little easier to get there!

Here's how it racks up:

Form - Wave
Function - Pass (10 bike potential)
Environment - No go here
Points of Interest - El Toro Loco

Memphis Medical Center Bicycle Rack

I have 10 eyes, at least. Ten eyes that are open to seeing bicycle racks and their form and function. Ten eyes that see a piece of art and say, "That's more than just a sculpture!" Two of those eyes belong to Michelle the Memphistanista. She spotted this bike rack on one of her trips and sent me a picture. Not familiar with the location I had to go check it out myself.

So this bicycle rack is tucked away on a low-travelled section of Monroe, between Dudley and Pauline next to a parking garage that serves several medical offices and schools. I would venture that this rack's potential is limited by it's location. Visibility by the general public is paramount in usage. Not that much of the general public would ride a bike to the hospital; depending on the situation I probably wouldn't either. But that doesn't rule out staff and students. However, the location of this rack is such that I wonder how many staff and students even know of it's existence.

Here's how it racks up:

Form - Artistic
Function - Aside from my speculations on the visibility the rack functions well with a 10-bike potential
Environment - Lots of M's!
Points of Interest - Memphis Bioworks Foundation, Regional Medical Center, UT Health Science Center

Memphis City Hall Bicycle Racks

There have been some bicycle rack additions since my initial sweep of downtown. The City of
Memphis has installed two bicycle racks that truly show our dedication to becoming a healthier and more environmentally friendly city.


The identical racks feature the crest of Shelby County in the front wheel. They are located under a covered arcade so you don't have to worry about your bike getting wet. That's the pro of the location; the con, for me, is that they are placed in front of the building dedication and a poem. It's like covering one piece of art with another, maybe not so drastic because you can still take pictures of either.


Here's how it racks up:

Form - Artistic
Function - 4 bike potential
Environment - spot on
Points of Interest - Memphis City Hall

Cooper Young Bicycle Racks

You guys and girls are like, "Finally!" right? No bicycle racks are more obviously deserving of a review than these. Well here ya go, I hope you learn something:

Inbalance Fitness
The Cooper-Young Bicycle Racks were designed by Yvonne Bobo (who also built the Drag'n Trailer). From Andy Ashby, reporter at the Memphis Business Journal and secretary of the Cooper-Young Community Association: The CYCA had Yvonne put together several ideas and this one made the most sense. It was small enough to be put in several locations (some property owners didn't want a big long bike rack in front of their space). It was also economical, $400 or $500, I think. Also, the ginkgo tree is the official tree of Cooper-Young, according to the history book. Revolutions Community Bicycle Shop also approved the design.

Burke's Books, of course and Midtown Acupuncture & Natural Apothecary
I have to be honest, I feel a sense of pride when I lock up to one of these because I did some fundraising for Revolutions to pay for these racks. Remember the flat track races? We raised about $341 (probably more but I can't remember. It was the heat, ya know.) All of the racks function well, allowing a bike on each side potentially. Three of them, however, could be turned a quarter turn to allow for more convenient sidewalk flow: Inbalance, Midtown Acupuncture and Celtic.

Celtic Crossing and Cafe Ole/Young Avenue Deli
There is a plaque near each of the racks (except for the Midtown Acupuncture rack which I think was knocked off because it was attached to the ground) telling where funding for each rack came from. The Revolutions racks are the ones in front of Burke's Books and Cafe Ole.


I considered looking at each of these racks individually but I think I would just be saying the same thing about each one, substituting a location. Since we think of Cooper-Young as the mark by which we measure other Memphis communities it seems only proper to keep these racks together.

Andy also tells me that there is a seventh ginkgo rack at the CYCA offices. They wanted to put it in front of the office but the asphalt doesn't make a good foundation. Perhaps they should put it in front of Urban Outfitters? Or maybe a contest to see which CY business gets the most bicycle traffic, excluding the businesses that already have racks, and also excluding Victory Bicycle Studio because they would obviously win.

Here's how they rack up:

Form - Artistic
Function - Pass
Environment - Inspired by neighborhood trees
Points of Interest - Just check the tags below

MCA Gibson Hall Bicycle Rack

Now this is a pretty interesting bicycle rack: a blend of industrial and artistic, taking cues from the building ornamentation and purpose. I'm guessing there's a max 4-bike potential. When I talk about max potential, it's about individual bikes. I'm not taking into account couples and friends with one lock. Just an aside... Gibson Hall now houses the MCA Office of Student Affairs. Being one of the first buildings that a potential student sees it's nice that they also see a bike rack.

Here's how it racks up:

Form - Artistic/Industrial
Function - Pass
Environment - Blends
Points of Interest - MCA Gibson Hall

Downtown YMCA Bicycle Rack

A couple of years ago my friend Sean Quigley suggested opening a gym in which all of the machines provided the utility power. It's certainly not a new idea, Anthony shed some light on bicimaquinas a while back and a new bar has opened in Portland where folks can pedal to power the electricity: Hopworks BikeBar. So why hasn't anyone harnessed a full gyms-worth of power?

Here's how the rack racks up:

Form - Industrial
Function - Pass
Environment - Doesn't mimic
Points of Interest - Downtown YMCA

Memphis Zoo Bicycle Racks

The Memphis Zoo, rated top zoo in the country in 2009 has two bicycle racks each capable of handling eighteen bikes, but the positioning of each limits the number to 9. With the parking situation in shambles at the Zoo, I'm surprised they haven't given discounts for people who ride a bike or walk. But then, they do charge for car parking.

With all of that money they're raking in it would be cool to see some animal shaped racks like the large sculptures gracing the courtyard.

Here's how the racks rack up:

Form - Utilitarian
Function - Another Half-Pass
Environment - Donate these to someone and get some animals out there
Points of Interest - Memphis Zoo

Sekisui Bicycle Rack

This is what I'm talking about: parking right next to the front door. Seven bike capability with a smoker's post curiously placed right next to it. That won't deter me from enjoying some miso soup, though.

Here's how it racks up:

Form - 7 Bike Wave
Function - Pass
Environment - Doesn't work
Points of Interest - Sekisui

Pei Wei Bicycle Rack

I think the planners of this shopping center stuck this bike rack out next to Union (a busy thoroughfare) to entice people driving in their cars, like, "Go home, get on your bike and come get some asian food!" Otherwise the planners would have put the rack either closer to the building (one of the perks of riding a bike is being able to park next to the entrance) or on the Belvedere (which sees a bit of bike traffic) side of the center. That being said I haven't actually seen people use this rack. They tend to lock up to the parking signs near the doors. But kudos to the planners for their spirit.

Here's how it racks up:

Form - 5 bike Wave
Function - Pass
Environment - Doesn't Blend
Points of Interest - Pei Wei Asian Diner, Baskin Robbins

YoLo Bicycle Rack

In contrast to Bari's bicycle rack, YoLo's bicycle rack is positioned correctly, maximizing the available spaces and not restricting sidewalk usage. Having only eaten there twice I have to admit that I like it. Em and I were talking and decided that YoLo really needs a shaded deck. When they were building out the space we thought they were going to put a deck to the side but it's just a few parking spaces now.

Here's how it racks up;

Form - Double-sided six bike portable (they bring it in and out)
Function - Pass
Environment - No ice cream shapes here.
Points of Interest - Yolo, Lenny's Sub Shop

Bari Ristorante Bicycle Rack

One of the nuances of bicycle racks that I've picked up on (as I'm sure you have as well) is orientation with their surroundings. What we saw with the Art Center bicycle rack, as well as several others, is that you can inadvertently limit the number of bicycle spaces available depending upon how the rack is positioned. With the Bari bicycle rack, not only are they cutting the available spaces in half but are also (when bicycles are appropriately placed) limiting the amount of sidewalk traffic that can pass safely. Notice that with my rear wheel touching the building and even with my front wheel askew there is not enough room for two people, or even one wheelchair to pass.

What should they have done? Placed the rack on an east-west line. The available spaces are not diminished, the bicycles do not stick out further than the middle crack (more or less), and the rack is then visible to Cooper Street's vehicular traffic.

Regardless, I'm glad to see that a local restaurant is inviting cyclists to their tables. The food at Bari is great and I hear the owner rides a bit as well.

Here's how it racks up:

Form - Wave
Function - Fail
Environment - Doesn't blend
Points of Interest - Bari Ristorante

Memphis CVB Bicycle Rack

This is like the bicycle rack breeding ground. And what a perfect place: the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau. When people stop there to get info it's like, "POWHN!, we are a cycling city." You know what I call this? Foresight. Over the next few years Memphis will become the premiere place to cross the Mississippi River via bicycle with the construction and completion of the Harahan Bridge Project. Now I know that cycle tourists are often very frugal, utilizing websites such as warmshowers.org to find like-minded people to stay with. When I see tourers come through they are usually here for a few days, checking out the record studios and museums and eating barbecue then pedaling off for Chicago, Portland, California, etc. But with so much planned bicycle (and electric car) infrastructure Memphis has the potential to be the destination instead of a checkpoint. It's time to leverage what we already have and entice cycling companies to headquater here. You want year-round cycling? Done. You want local breweries. Here's a pint glass. Direct flight to Amsterdam? Here's your ticket.

Of course there is more to this than bikes, beer, and babes... wait. No there isn't.

Here's how the rack racks up:

Form - Wave
Function - Pass with 50+ potential
Environment - Not really
Points of Interest - Mississippi River, Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau

Jefferson Davis Park Bicycle Racks

These two wave racks flank Jefferson Davis park, a nice little respite on the river. It is the last stop on the River Walk before you cut up to Confederate Park. The rack on the right is in good shape but the rack on the left looks like someone backed into it. Perhaps it was Tommy Volinchak's Buick? But look: it still functions properly.

Here's how they rack up:

Form - Wave
Function - Pass
Environment - Nothing Doing
Points of Interest - Jefferson Davis Park, Mississippi River, River Walk

Art Center Bicycle Rack

Tucked into a corner, this six-bike rack limits itself to only three usable spots. That's fine when you think about the materials you usually buy from the Art Center. I've ridden over there and been able to stuff some silk-screens and some paint into a messenger bag and been fine. I can only imagine trying to ride home with one of those large drawing pads; it would become a proper sail going the right direction! My recommendation for the Art Center: paint that bicycle rack!

Here's how it racks up:

Form - double sided six
Function - reduced to 3 onaccounta location
Environment - a stock rack at a creative place doesn't jive
Points of Interest - Art Center, Farmers Market Midtown

Memphis Brooks Museum Bicycle Rack

Here it is, the catalyst for the bicycle rack mapping project. This bike rack has probably gotten more press than any other in Memphis (I've even mentioned it before). Tootsie Bell (which sounds like candy) won the design contest for the rack back in 2008 and The Flyer covered that well.

If you don't feel like reading the links, the important thing to know is that the Brooks gives a $1 off admission if you ride your bike to the museum.

Here's how it racks up:

Form - Artistic
Function - Pass
Environment - Memphis has a lot of trees, which were the inspiration for this rack(s)
Points of Interest - Memphis Brooks Museum, Overton Park

Studio On The Square Bicycle Rack

Originally billed as an "art house" theater (perhaps as just an experiment; a small theater that would show independent and foreign films seemed a logical fit for Midtown Memphis), Studio quickly realized that the location was great and they could show just about anything, even hosting several film festivals. This bicycle rack is one of the few in Memphis where I've ridden up and seen one of my friends locking up at the same time. I'm sure that has to do with the start time of the films but it's still nice.

Here's how it racks up:

Form - Old School
Function - Pass
Environment - Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn.
Points of Interest - Studio On The Square, Bogies Deli, Boscos, Dabbles, Memphis Pizza Cafe

And don't forget: another Malco theater: Paradiso will be having a special screening of Breaking Away tonight at 7PM. Get more info on the Memphis Hightailers website.

Otherlands Coffee Bar Bicycle Rack

There has not been a single time that I've ridden to Otherlands and there hasn't been another bike locked up to the rack. It's just your standard old school bicycle rack but for space purposes is pushed up against the deck, making one side inoperable. That's cool, though, they're still representing. But obviously the bike rack isn't the focus of Otherlands; it's coffee. And delicious breakfast sandwiches - cream cheese, tomato and a special sauce on your choice of bagel. So good. Mine is sitting heartily in my stomach right now.

Here's how it racks up:

Form - Old School
Function - Pass
Environment - Nothing doing
Points of Interest - Otherlands Coffee Bar

Bridges Bicycle Rack

As opposed to the bank from the previous bicycle rack post, Bridges is the type of place you would expect to find a bicycle rack. Em and I love going to climb night here; one of the only places in Memphis that offers indoor climbing. I got into climbing before I got into bikes so it kind of surprised me how many of my friends were climbers as well. What is kind of sad is that it costs $15 per person to climb. When is someone going to open a bouldering gym? Less insurance than belaying, I bet.

Here's how it racks up:

Form - Artistic
Function - Pass
Environment - Memphis Rack
Points of Interest - Bridges

First Alliance Bank Bicycle Rack

If "wtf?" is going through your mind then I'm right there along with you. A Jill Turman Memphis Rack at a bank. WTF? But kudos to them anyway. I know my bank would be so much better with a bike rack. As it is now I have to lock up to a tree and one location (I almost said branch...) or the handicapped railing at another location. One day I was locking up to the tree and my friend Ben rode up and locked up to the same tree. At least I knew him and it didn't turn in to some awkward situation with one of us waiting for the other person to finish. Does your bank have a bicycle rack?

Here's how it racks up:

Form - Artistic
Function - Pass
Environment - Green is the color of money!
Points of Interest - First Alliance Bank