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Since October 15th the city of Ghent is trying out some new bike racks on nine different locations. The designs were made by student groups from the University of Ghent, faculty of Engineering. These soon to be engineer-architects came up with the prototypes, and now the city is giving them a test-run.
Starting point was the idea that the bike racks need to be practical and sustainable, and they need to fit their urban environment. And even more so – and here it comes, ladies and gentlemen – they need to promote bicycle culture.
Kudos to Ghent for once again being in the front line when it comes to bicycle promotion in this country. But if these bike racks will actually achieve the goals mentioned above, is another question.
Anyway, we're no designers, so see for yourself, on these photo's below, made by Hans D.
To me personally they look rather… big. And I don't really see them holding a lot of bikes. As for their esthetical value in an urnban environment? Well, that's a matter of personal taste. And though I can understand that there is a huge challenge in designing with concrete, I cannot help but wonder if that is what a vibrant city really needs: more concrete.
But for now these are just prototypes, an experiment. And we applaud that. How and if the plans will these bike racks will become more – pun very much intended – concrete, is a matter of a lot of things. The unmentioned price tag for one.
Read more about it here (Dutch).
And read more on another bike rack test in Copenhagen: bike racks… without racks.
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