Vent: The bike rack at the new library in Boise is a special kind of bad

Casey Henderson · 2026-03-29T21:15:06.174008+00:00

I was dropping off some books last week and saw their new bike rack installation. It's one of those 'wave' style racks, but they mounted it so close to the wall that you can't actually get a full wheel into the slot. I watched three people try to lock up, and each one just gave up and leaned their bike against a bench. The worst part is the rack is bolted into a concrete pad that looks like it cost a few thousand dollars to pour. Someone clearly ordered a nice rack and then had no idea how to install it. I almost left a note for the library staff but figured they'd just ignore it. Has anyone else seen a public rack installed so poorly it's basically useless?

fisher.kevin6mo ago

Come on, it's fine for most bikes.

3

averywright6mo ago

Seems like it works fine for my cruiser's front tire.

2

gibson.robert6mo ago

Oh man, that is the worst! My town hall did the exact same thing with a fancy loop rack. They put it right next to a curb so you can't even stand your bike up straight to lock the frame. It's just sitting there on this perfect new sidewalk looking totally stupid. I ended up locking to a street sign instead. It's like they never even tried to use it before they bolted it down for good.

2