Not a cyclist, yourself? It’s pretty clear to me, although the picture is misleading. Many bike racks are the wrong shape to run a long lock through both wheels and around the frame. This requires that you remove a wheel (typically the front) and lock it with the back and frame to a post. The orientation can make it difficult to do either, although I’m not sure if a Kryptonite U-lock would work with this.

The most common bike racks as street furniture here in Seattle are either flat profile U’s that have a cross piece and are mounted parallel to the curb; these can handle 3 or 4 bikes, but people often lock their bike in such a way that they can only handle two; or, a frame with metal hangers (like coat hangers) that are attached to the main bar perpendicularly. You can lock the bike to the front or underneath.

Seattle has a nifty page with links to all four types (including the two less common) of racks that they install: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/bikeracks.htm

So, you would need a long lock, then, is what you’re saying. Right? I’m still not following, from your description, what the design breakthrough is here. Is this better than the U style (which is prominent in many places, I believe)? I’m also confused how you’ve concluded that I’m not a cyclist. Surely even a cyclist can display the same limited visual imagination that I’m apparently displaying?

Anyway, my real point here was if the selling point is the two-wheel lock ability, why not show it?

Surely I’m not wrong that the picture shows NO wheels locked, am I?