Bicycle Network: Parkiteer Bike Cages

Safe Keeping

Parkiteer Cages help provide protection from the elements and provide keycard entry to registered users only.  However, bike theft can still occur if kind-hearted users hold the door for other people. Bike security in a important aspect of the Parkiteer program and we try our hardest to monitor each cage within our network. For added security we can not stress how important it is to use a quality D-Lock.

A quality D-Lock is worth its weight in gold. The inital cost of purchasng a brand new D-Lock maybe daunting intially, but it is better to spend the money now that to replace an entire bike due to a cheap lock.

Quick tips:

1. Secure the D-Lock through the frame, against the secure parking rails provided in each cage
2. Use an extra double loop cable secure your front or rear wheel
3. Create a snug fit between the bicycle and the parking rail using the D-Lock
4. Remove any items such as light and computers

Correct locking technique for standard flat top and Ned Kelly parking rail:

Note: The lock is placed through the frame and rear wheel and again the front wheel and frame for the Ned Kelly.

Note: For added security, use a double loop cable to secure the front wheel 

Incorrect locking technique:

 Note: The front wheel is only secure, the frame can be removed due to the quick release skewer.

The Winter Blues

1 August 2012 It’s that time of year again where the days are short and the nights are long and mercury is dropping into the single digits. A lot of tension and stress can be built up during the winter. Riding will help relax the muscles and release the tension that is building up from long cold days. Staying inside more and less exercise can lead to the winter blues. Riding each day, even the commute to the train station will release endorphins, adrenaline, serotonin, and dopamine; the release of these chemicals is what makes you feel good and may help you cut back on the morning coffee kick.
With spring just around the corner there is no better time than the present to get back on the bike if it’s been sitting there for last few weeks and fight those pesky winter blues.
If you are inspired to get back on the bike and ride through the winter, then here are some handy little tips to make that commute to the train station so much more bearable:

1. Check your lights – make sure they fresh batteries if they haven’t been used in a while
2. Gloves – extremities are most effected by the cold; and,
3. Rain jacket - even if it’s not raining a wind-proof jacket will help reduce the wind chill when riding in low temperatures.

For extra tips, click here.

Health Tip:

“Colder Rides Melt Pounds: The journal Obesity Reviews reports that spending too much time in artificially heated environments can cause weight gain, while hanging out in the cold may help you get lean. The common link is brown fat, which, unlike regular fat, burns calories instead of storing them. The catch: Brown fat is activated only by cold temps. If that doesn’t get you out the door, maybe this will: Fully activated brown fat can raise your resting metabolism by 20 percent – enough to trim off nine pounds a year.”
-Bicycling Magazine
 

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