Comments on: Bike parking system in Japan http://boingboing.net/2008/12/15/bike-parking-system.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sat, 18 May 2013 17:51:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: pavel_lishin http://boingboing.net/2008/12/15/bike-parking-system.html#comment-356871 pavel_lishin Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-356871 First thing I'd do upon encountering one of these: secure my camera to the basket, turn on video mode, park the bike and then retrieve it a minute later, just to see what the bike experiences. I'd probably have to tape a flash-light to the bike, too, though. First thing I’d do upon encountering one of these: secure my camera to the basket, turn on video mode, park the bike and then retrieve it a minute later, just to see what the bike experiences.

I’d probably have to tape a flash-light to the bike, too, though.

]]> By: Itsumishi http://boingboing.net/2008/12/15/bike-parking-system.html#comment-359437 Itsumishi Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-359437 What I find most amazing is how the machine recognises he's changed from a white jacket to a black jacket and spits out a white bike instead of a black bike accordingly. He obviously likes the 'Reversi' look. What I find most amazing is how the machine recognises he’s changed from a white jacket to a black jacket and spits out a white bike instead of a black bike accordingly.

He obviously likes the ‘Reversi’ look.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2008/12/15/bike-parking-system.html#comment-356885 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-356885 Comparing my crumbling metropolis to Tokyo reminds me of <a href="http://www.theonion.com/content/news/earthquake_sets_japan_back_to_2147">this.</a> Comparing my crumbling metropolis to Tokyo reminds me of this.

]]> By: Editz http://boingboing.net/2008/12/15/bike-parking-system.html#comment-357919 Editz Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-357919 Those things are crazy fast: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U7W5dbrWwc Beats having to deal with the old-school outdoor version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlkszmwZVn4 Those things are crazy fast:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U7W5dbrWwc

Beats having to deal with the old-school outdoor version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlkszmwZVn4

]]> By: NickeyRobo http://boingboing.net/2008/12/15/bike-parking-system.html#comment-356898 NickeyRobo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-356898 @#12: While I see your point, I'm sure this system uses WAY less energy and resources than driving a car or even taking a bus. @#12:
While I see your point, I’m sure this system uses WAY less energy and resources than driving a car or even taking a bus.

]]> By: Ernunnos http://boingboing.net/2008/12/15/bike-parking-system.html#comment-356899 Ernunnos Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-356899 It's a heck of a lot greener than a parking garage! Beautiful. In less space-constrained areas where excavation wouldn't be economical, it would be neat to see something like this built above ground and glassed in. It’s a heck of a lot greener than a parking garage!

Beautiful.

In less space-constrained areas where excavation wouldn’t be economical, it would be neat to see something like this built above ground and glassed in.

]]> By: themark http://boingboing.net/2008/12/15/bike-parking-system.html#comment-357417 themark Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-357417 "...someone sends a bike down there with too-fat tires and it gets stuck in the mechanism -- and then what happens?" You can't. You need a registration card to put your bike inside (it ain't free) and they only allow certain bike sizes/styles. The machine is also smart enough to know if the bike won't fit, and refuses to take it. There are two of these at my station in Jiyugaoka. There is just no place to put the volume of bicycles that people ride, so this is a really good solution. Near my office is a bike garage that holds around 5000 bikes. It's huge, two floors and a block long. Remember where you parked. “…someone sends a bike down there with too-fat tires and it gets stuck in the mechanism — and then what happens?”

You can’t. You need a registration card to put your bike inside (it ain’t free) and they only allow certain bike sizes/styles. The machine is also smart enough to know if the bike won’t fit, and refuses to take it. There are two of these at my station in Jiyugaoka. There is just no place to put the volume of bicycles that people ride, so this is a really good solution.

Near my office is a bike garage that holds around 5000 bikes. It’s huge, two floors and a block long. Remember where you parked.

]]> By: misterfricative http://boingboing.net/2008/12/15/bike-parking-system.html#comment-357163 misterfricative Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-357163 We've seen this before: http://www.boingboing.net/2008/04/23/subterranean-japanes.html It's a nice idea, but it seems like there's an awful lot that can go wrong with a system as complex as this. For instance, someone sends a bike down there with too-fat tires and it gets stuck in the mechanism -- and then what happens? We’ve seen this before: http://www.boingboing.net/2008/04/23/subterranean-japanes.html

It’s a nice idea, but it seems like there’s an awful lot that can go wrong with a system as complex as this. For instance, someone sends a bike down there with too-fat tires and it gets stuck in the mechanism — and then what happens?

]]> By: Clemoh http://boingboing.net/2008/12/15/bike-parking-system.html#comment-356687 Clemoh Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-356687 How many bikes does that sucker hold? It seems overengineered for just one bicycle, and I'd bet expensive. How many bikes does that sucker hold? It seems overengineered for just one bicycle, and I’d bet expensive.

]]> By: AirPillo http://boingboing.net/2008/12/15/bike-parking-system.html#comment-356946 AirPillo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-356946 <blockquote> First thing I'd do upon encountering one of these: secure my camera to the basket, turn on video mode, park the bike and then retrieve it a minute later, just to see what the bike experiences. I'd probably have to tape a flash-light to the bike, too, though. </blockquote> Actually, you know, I've already seen a video of that. (footage is at the end of the video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE4fvwTBtno This video also exposes more of how these things work and look like on the inside. Enlightening, despite my complete inability to decipher the narration.

First thing I’d do upon encountering one of these: secure my camera to the basket, turn on video mode, park the bike and then retrieve it a minute later, just to see what the bike experiences.

I’d probably have to tape a flash-light to the bike, too, though.

Actually, you know, I’ve already seen a video of that. (footage is at the end of the video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE4fvwTBtno

This video also exposes more of how these things work and look like on the inside. Enlightening, despite my complete inability to decipher the narration.

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2008/12/15/bike-parking-system.html#comment-356691 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-356691 you really have to have seen the haystacks of rusty, abandoned bikes to appreciate this. you really have to have seen the haystacks of rusty, abandoned bikes to appreciate this.

]]> By: mooch http://boingboing.net/2008/12/15/bike-parking-system.html#comment-356693 mooch Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-356693 Was that a glimpse of the subterranean storage bay at the end of the video? Was that a glimpse of the subterranean storage bay at the end of the video?

]]> By: grimc http://boingboing.net/2008/12/15/bike-parking-system.html#comment-356697 grimc Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-356697 What's the over/under for number of children who've gone for a ride in that thing? What’s the over/under for number of children who’ve gone for a ride in that thing?

]]> By: gobo http://boingboing.net/2008/12/15/bike-parking-system.html#comment-356701 gobo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-356701 #1, judging from the diagrams at the end, it holds 144 bikes. #1, judging from the diagrams at the end, it holds 144 bikes.

]]> By: O2 http://boingboing.net/2008/12/15/bike-parking-system.html#comment-356703 O2 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-356703 Even cooler when you can see what happens underground: http://www.geekologie.com/2008/04/automated_bike_storage_in_japa.php Even cooler when you can see what happens underground: http://www.geekologie.com/2008/04/automated_bike_storage_in_japa.php

]]> By: acrocker http://boingboing.net/2008/12/15/bike-parking-system.html#comment-356706 acrocker Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-356706 If that drawing at the end was accurate, this will hold 144 bikes (18 per level, 8 levels). Wow! that's impressive. If that drawing at the end was accurate, this will hold 144 bikes (18 per level, 8 levels). Wow! that’s impressive.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2008/12/15/bike-parking-system.html#comment-356964 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-356964 @ #12 POSTED BY JJR1971 , DECEMBER 15, 2008 11:41 AM "There are low-tech bike storage solutions out there, but then again, this is Japan...where Hi-Tech seems to border on a cultural imperative." Actually its due to the extremely limited space problems that exist in Japan. Technology just happens to be their method of choice for dealing with issues. @ #12 POSTED BY JJR1971 , DECEMBER 15, 2008 11:41 AM
“There are low-tech bike storage solutions out there, but then again, this is Japan…where Hi-Tech seems to border on a cultural imperative.”

Actually its due to the extremely limited space problems that exist in Japan. Technology just happens to be their method of choice for dealing with issues.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2008/12/15/bike-parking-system.html#comment-370023 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-370023 Actually the concept of the Eco-Cycle is to promote environmentally conscious designs. In Japan, there are so many cyclist near train stations, it poses a hazard by the number of bikes that crowd the area which poses a significant fall hazard. The Eco-Cycle relieves the congestion by placing the bikes underground. There are pressure plates and motion sensors built into the unit to ensure safety, and yes, it works with 2 flat tires. The overall concept of the Eco-Cycle and Eco-Park is to build these automated systems for cars and bicycles in a system that also acts as a foundation for a building. The systems can also be modified to be above grade to maximize storage capacity. The base model will hold 144 bicycles but can be increased to hold many more as the project requires. We are actuall going to begin to market these systems here in the US for both the bicycles and the car parking systems if anyone is interested, please feel free to look at our web site at www.giken.com or feel free to contact me at info@gikenamerica.com Actually the concept of the Eco-Cycle is to promote environmentally conscious designs. In Japan, there are so many cyclist near train stations, it poses a hazard by the number of bikes that crowd the area which poses a significant fall hazard. The Eco-Cycle relieves the congestion by placing the bikes underground. There are pressure plates and motion sensors built into the unit to ensure safety, and yes, it works with 2 flat tires. The overall concept of the Eco-Cycle and Eco-Park is to build these automated systems for cars and bicycles in a system that also acts as a foundation for a building. The systems can also be modified to be above grade to maximize storage capacity. The base model will hold 144 bicycles but can be increased to hold many more as the project requires.

We are actuall going to begin to market these systems here in the US for both the bicycles and the car parking systems if anyone is interested, please feel free to look at our web site at http://www.giken.com or feel free to contact me at info@gikenamerica.com

]]> By: bcsizemo http://boingboing.net/2008/12/15/bike-parking-system.html#comment-356718 bcsizemo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-356718 Cats: All your base are belong to us. @ 1:13 Lulz. Cats: All your base are belong to us.

@ 1:13

Lulz.

]]> By: GregLondon http://boingboing.net/2008/12/15/bike-parking-system.html#comment-356721 GregLondon Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-356721 oh, man, that'd be a hell of a ride for the poor bastard who doesn't get off the bike before putting his card in the machine. The conveyor sucks it in in under a second. Then you're unconscious, bleeding, and jammed into an underground cavern, never to be seen again... oh, man, that’d be a hell of a ride for the poor bastard who doesn’t get off the bike before putting his card in the machine. The conveyor sucks it in in under a second. Then you’re unconscious, bleeding, and jammed into an underground cavern, never to be seen again…

]]> By: Amy http://boingboing.net/2008/12/15/bike-parking-system.html#comment-357234 Amy Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-357234 It's actually going into the EIGHTH dimension, buckaroo. ---Amy It’s actually going into the EIGHTH dimension, buckaroo.

—Amy

]]> By: Strangepork http://boingboing.net/2008/12/15/bike-parking-system.html#comment-357238 Strangepork Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-357238 What happens if a fly happens to enter at the same time? bike-Fly mutant? What happens if a fly happens to enter at the same time? bike-Fly mutant?

]]> By: InsertFingerHere http://boingboing.net/2008/12/15/bike-parking-system.html#comment-356984 InsertFingerHere Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-356984 Imagine if someone left a bomb in their little basket, the financial damage to vehicles could reach into the thousands, and release massive amount of compressed air into the environment. Imagine if someone left a bomb in their little basket, the financial damage to vehicles could reach into the thousands, and release massive amount of compressed air into the environment.

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2008/12/15/bike-parking-system.html#comment-356990 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-356990 a little modification and you have a private gun storage facility. a little modification and you have a private gun storage facility.

]]> By: Ghede http://boingboing.net/2008/12/15/bike-parking-system.html#comment-356736 Ghede Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-356736 #5 Or judging by the sentence at 0:59. "up to 144 bicycles can be stored underground and are retrieved in seconds". Diagrams. Heh. #5 Or judging by the sentence at 0:59. “up to 144 bicycles can be stored underground and are retrieved in seconds”. Diagrams. Heh.

]]> By: arkizzle http://boingboing.net/2008/12/15/bike-parking-system.html#comment-356741 arkizzle Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-356741 It's things like this that make me realize it will be a long time before the bicycle is seen as an equal third form of personal transport (joining cars and motorbikes) in the US and UK. I can totally see something like this being invested-in in Germany or Holland, but have difficulty seeing this (beyond one novel example, maybe) in London. Too pessimistic? It’s things like this that make me realize it will be a long time before the bicycle is seen as an equal third form of personal transport (joining cars and motorbikes) in the US and UK.

I can totally see something like this being invested-in in Germany or Holland, but have difficulty seeing this (beyond one novel example, maybe) in London.

Too pessimistic?

]]> By: JJR1971 http://boingboing.net/2008/12/15/bike-parking-system.html#comment-356747 JJR1971 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-356747 Sort of takes the "green" out of biking to work, though, doesn't it. There are low-tech bike storage solutions out there, but then again, this is Japan...where Hi-Tech seems to border on a cultural imperative. Sort of takes the “green” out of biking to work, though, doesn’t it. There are low-tech bike storage solutions out there, but then again, this is Japan…where Hi-Tech seems to border on a cultural imperative.

]]> By: dewexdewex http://boingboing.net/2008/12/15/bike-parking-system.html#comment-357518 dewexdewex Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-357518 I use a Brompton and simply take it everywhere I go: no locks required. I use a Brompton and simply take it everywhere I go: no locks required.

]]> By: Lady Katey http://boingboing.net/2008/12/15/bike-parking-system.html#comment-357047 Lady Katey Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-357047 Here's a European looking "Bike Tree" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcSD5MsQuVo Video is complete with silly paranoid comments about bike theives with tall ladders. Here’s a European looking “Bike Tree” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcSD5MsQuVo

Video is complete with silly paranoid comments about bike theives with tall ladders.

]]> By: billster http://boingboing.net/2008/12/15/bike-parking-system.html#comment-356794 billster Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-356794 #8 All your BIKE are belong to us …make your time #8

All your BIKE are belong to us

…make your time

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