Projects, Streetscapes

New DEZIGNLINE™ PEDRAIL™ Installed in Downtown Minneapolis

Earlier in September, Dero and DezignLine™, in collaboration with Minneapolis Public Works, installed the first pilot project of the new PEDRAIL™ pedestrian safety barrier. Designed to be modular, easily installed, and very sturdy, the PEDRAIL implemented at Chicago Avenue and 7th Street in downtown Minneapolis creates what’s known as a “bump-out” barrier for pedestrians at the intersection. It serves to decrease the distance one is exposed to vehicular traffic while crossing the intersection, as well as controls the flow of cars by increasing their turning radius. Here’s a photo of the Chicago and 7th St. intersection before the PEDRAIL installation:
The intersection of Chicago Avenue and 7th Street before the PEDRAIL installation.
Looking north.Looking south.Pedestrians benefit from increased visibility and decreased distance across the intersection.The PEDRAIL’s feet leave no anchors exposed to the outer edge of the installation.To leave feedback, call 311.
Tips

Trailhead Design

When it comes to trailhead design, riders have a wide array of needs and abilities. Amenities like public bicycle repair stands, overhead shelters, and quality bike parking sets a bike friendly tone for trail users. Below, we’ll examine how each feature can improve your trailhead designs and provide a welcoming addition for bicyclists. joelfixit-43x Public bike repair is a necessity for any trail or bike path. Even the best prepared riders can’t anticipate when they’ll be stuck without the right tool, and the Dero Fixit stand has saved many a stranded cyclist. Each stand comes with an array of tools, including allen wrenches, philips and flat head screwdrivers, box wrenches, and tire levers. They are at home on any kind of trail or path–from a BMX park to a riverside esplanade. We love having several Fixits installed along the Midtown Greenway bike path in our hometown of Minneapolis! air-kit-3-04 What else might bicyclists need while out riding? Air! Over the years, we’ve designed two high quality, heavy-duty air pumps for repeated outdoor public use. Our Air Kit 2 model handily attaches to Fixit stands, and the Air Kit 3 (pictured above) has an integrated air pressure gauge, which is important for off-road riders who need to finely tune their tire pressures for certain terrains. pump-stop1   The Pump Stop is a useful accompaniment to our Air Kit bike pumps, which holds bikes upright while filling tires with air. saddle-buddy-lebanon-02   Designed specifically for trailheads and bike parks, the Saddle Buddy™ offers a temporary resting place for our two-wheeled companions. Though it is not designed to be a lockable bike rack, it’s perfect for stowing your while gearing up for the ride ahead or taking a break between runs. sparta-helix1   Traditional bike parking is also a welcome addition to any trailhead or bike path. Above are the Dero Helix Racks featured next to the famed Elroy-Sparta Trail in central Wisconsin. randallx   Want to make your trailhead stand out? Our custom designs can include logos, signs, and even fully custom bike rack shapes. Pictured above are custom laser-cut bike racks we designed for the town of Pequot Lakes, MN, which is located on the Paul Bunyan State Trail in northern Minnesota. 15489496887_396dec68e8_z Finally, bike shelters can be included in your trailhead design to provide welcome protection from the elements. Whether covering way-finding signage, a public bike repair stand, bike parking, or picnic tables, shelters are an important trailhead design element that can serve all trail users.
News

Dero Through the Years: Highlights from our Designer

On March 21, 1995 Dero Bike Racks was born. Tomorrow is officially our 20th birthday! What started as two University of Minnesota graduates trying to solve the problem of insufficient bike parking, has grown into one of the leading bicycle rack and public bike repair manufacturers in the country (but we don’t take ourselves too seriously). Though Dero has seen its share of ups and downs over the past two decades, our vision has always stayed the same: to design and manufacture the most innovative and high quality bicycling infrastructure to serve people on bikes. This year, we’ll look back at Dero’s history through the eyes of its employees. Below, Colin Klotzbach shares his reflections on his tenure as the Graphic and Web Designer at Dero. He’s been working with Dero the longest, so he has some interesting stories. Enjoy his dry sense of humor – he’s quite a character.

How long have you been at Dero?

Officially 13 years, but my first freelance project with Dero was in 1997.

Where is your favorite place to ride your bike?

I’m hoping Holland will be my favorite place to ride after this summer.

What sets us apart from other bike rack manufacturers?

Our experience in marketing imported model ships and used laptop computers.

Do you have any funny stories from working at Dero?

Life at Dero has always been just a bit different than most employers. For a long time it always felt like we were just scraping by. We didn’t always have enough salvaged university desks for everyone (Andy, our GM, had no desk when he was hired), we often had mice running over our feet at the old warehouse, and dog hair would crash our server a couple times a year. It wasn’t even until we moved into our current place a few years ago that our hands could experience warm water coming out of the taps in the bathroom sinks. But like everyone’s parents say: It builds character.

Favorite rack, and why you like it?

The Bike Bike Rack. What’s not to love about it? It keeps showing up everywhere, even photobombing several news outlets, proving it survives riots and natural disasters.

Why do people love Dero racks?

As useful as bike racks are, it is kind of hard to take them too seriously. I think people appreciate seeing a little extra thought put into something that could otherwise be one of the most mundane features of public life.