Ottawa City Bike Storage Racks to be Removed for Winter

Ottawa, Canada city officials announced a new 2005 winter notice. City storage and parking bike racks in the city will be removed from city sidewalks beginning the second week of November. Officials have decided they will be taken in to make it easier for snow removal during the winter months. Some of the bicycle racks will be left out all winter however, if they are in locations where they won't impede snow removal. Bikes currently found at the parking racks will begin receiving warning stickers advising cyclists of the impending bicycle rack removal.

LeeTran Transit Authority Earns Award for Bicycle Rack Program

LeeTran has recently been honored for its innovative approach in attracting customers who do not live within walking distance of a bus stop. The transit authority was awarded the inaugural Rack and Ride Transit Challenge, which is given to a transit system with the highest percentage of customers using bike racks. The national competition, which is sponsored by the Sportworks car rack company, included 21 other cities.

"It's a neat award, and it's something we can be happy about," exclaimed Steve Myers, director of LeeTran. "It shows that among other cities, we rank right up there. It also shows that our program is as useful as, if not more, than other cities." Of LeeTran's riders, 4.1% use the bicycle racks. Its nearest competition, Honolulu, averaged 3.8%."The biggest benefit of the bike racks is that people who are further out can access the route," Myers added. "We have fairly good coverage, but it can be miles for some people to use the bus system."

LeeTran supplies bike racks for all its 57 buses, including trolleys. The buses are limited to two bikes, but there are plans to expand to at least three.There are three divisions, and LeeTran won among entrants with the largest transit systems. It also won the overall competition. "We don't consider ourselves a large urban city, but this is testament that we're making our buses more accessible for more people," Myers stated. "There was some skepticism at first, and this speaks well of the foresight to do this."

Fork Up Allows Unconventional Bike Forks to Work on Most Bike Roof Racks

Hurricane Components has released the after-market Fork Up for bike roof rack systems. The company states that it is compatible with bicycle thru-axle forks and the Cannondale Lefty fork, allowing users to transport their bikes on most roof rack systems including Saris, Inno, Thule, Yakima and Rocky Mounts bike racks. The Fork Up adapter connects to roof rack bike attachment standard quick release fork mounts.

According to Hurricane Components, the Fork Up approximates the bike wheel hub shell. The barrel is TIG-welded to two legs that slide into the bike rack fork mount, just like a set of non-thru axle fork legs do. Instructions for installation state the attaching of the ForkUp to the roof rack’s fork mount and clamping it. Place bike onto the rack then slide the thru-axle through one fork dropout, then through the Fork Up’s barrel, then through the other fork droupout. Finally, tighten the dropouts. The company states that it manufactures versions that fit Marzocchi QR20 forks, Cannondale Lefty Forks and Hannebrink forks.

All New Surfboard Rack Released by Monster Tower

Monster Tower watersport and surfboard rack systems has recently announced that it has released to dealers nationwide the company's new surfboard rack that fits any size tower. Monster Tower provides wakeboard towers as well wakeboard and surfboard rack attachments that fit any boat. Products are sold worldwide through dealers, distributors and direct.

Yakima Mighty Joe Bike Trunk Racks Recalled

Yakima Racks has announced that it is recalling the Yakima Mighty Joe 2 and Mighty Joe 3 bike trunk racks due to a potential design flaw in these products. After subjecting the trunk bike racks to rigorous scrutiny, the company has concluded that there is a flaw in the design that could cause injury or product damage.

Yakima has requested that car rack dealers immediately halt all sales of the Mighty Joe 2 and Mighty Joe 3 and also remove them from their sales floors. Retailers are also instructed to notify their Mighty Joe 2 and Mighty Joe 3 customers to cease use of the bike trunk rack systems. Yakima is directly managing the recall process with owners of the Mighty Joe 2 and Mighty Joe 3 racks.