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Readers Write: AKA Building, Putting The Dick Back In Rittenhouse

I was at 18th and Walnut yesterday and about to lock up my bike to a street sign when I saw placards attached to the street signs that say “no bicycle parking use designated racks.” These signs are in front of the aka condo building and restaurant. I asked the concierge what happens to bikes that park there and he said “their guy” clips the locks. I am assuming this is totally illegal.

So now I’m thinking, boycott aka restaurant? Catch “their guy” in the act? Remove the placards? I am under the impression that it is illegal to attach signs to street signs.

OOOH, AKA BUILDING, WE ARE SO SCARED OF “YOUR GUY.” Also, not for nothing, that restaurant is OK, but we refuse to acknowledge the pretentious e.e. cummings-style punctuation of its name, and the manager there is a total hover-er. Fuck these guys.

Seeing something around town of note? Cameraphone it to: tips[at]philebrity[dot]com.

This entry was posted on Friday, October 21st, 2011 at 1:13 pm.

  • http://www.awellrespectedman.com awellrespectedman

    really? leave your two-speed chained up at city hall.

    who cares

  • tips

    probably a not great place to do that right now

  • Erin W

    I’m pretty sure it’s not legal to chain bikes to street signs, too, so really, everyone’s losing here.

  • paulboni

    Quick everyone . . . instead of Wharton, detour to AKA Bldg.

  • Bicycle Coalition

    We’re looking into this, but AKA is definitely not allowed to be doing any of that.

  • bmurray

    @Erin W: What makes you “pretty sure it’s not legal to chain bikes to street signs?” I’m guessing the same logic that leads you to conclude “everyone’s losing.” Bike Coalition, keep us posted…

  • schmapty

    Also of note, the owner or manager or fat turd in charge of Revolution House, formerly Snow White, at 2nd and Market will yell at people who lock up near that corner. He claims that bikes block the sidewalk. Ironically he yelled this at me from his sidewalk seating. He’ll threaten to call the police but he never does or they laugh at him.

  • tsarstruck

    Know what would be a class move? Installing bike racks just down the street a bit, and putting a sign up that requests that bikers use that instead?

    Know what’s definitely illegal? Putting unoffiical signs on city property. Anybody walking by with a screwdriver should feel free to make sure AKA is compliant.

  • Bicycle Coalition

    The Streets Dept’s Right Of Way Unit has been alerted and we expect the sign will be taken down in the next few days.

    It’s worth mentioning how silly it is that a business like a restaurant doesn’t respect bicyclists as customers. You don’t need a car to eat at a restaurant, and in Center City it’s much easier to find bike parking than car parking (though there isn’t nearly enough bike parking, either).

  • feek

    i just saw that a couple hours ago and wished i had something to rip it off with

  • arcticsplasher

    Bikes vs sidewalk cafe – Byko will have to fight himself to death to decide which is worse! (btw, the actual worst offender is the food cart/scarf-table combo in front of Anthro across the street.)

  • DJCarbon43

    Bicycle Coalition FTW! Thanks y’all.

  • Dixie Normus

    I classify this as an illegal bandit sign. And if the City has the balls, they should fine AKA $300 for violation of Philadelphia City Code 10-1202: http://banditproject.org/LegalPenalties.aspx

    Or, some shit.

  • jayfar

    Articsplasher, the scarf table is an institution on that block, having been run by the same woman for something like 30 years. IIRC correctly, she actually makes regular buying trips to South America or Central America to import her hand-made goods.

  • http://perfectlydisgraceful.typepad.com/perfectly_disgraceful/ Perfectly Disgraceful

    Thank you, Bicycle Coalition, you rock!

    Actually, there are two street signs with two “no bikes” signs each, That could be $1,200 for the City…

  • Phillyguy76

    Monday as of 2pm, “no bikes” signs are down and bike chained up to poles once again. Legally enough room for everyone to get by.