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An example of an on-street bike parking corral from Portland Oregon
In July of 2011, we contacted the city in regards to on-street parking for bicycles. We identified that there were no bicycle racks on our block, and a general lack of bike racks throughout downtown. Additionally, the metered parking spaces in front of our shop were larger than standard, and we had two huge loading zones. This resulted in too much space for idling vehicles, and not enough opportunity for cyclists to lock their bikes up.
What we proposed was for Bikehounds to lease an on-street parking space from the city, in which we would “park” a bicycle rack instead of a car. This would not affect the city’s parking revenue and seemed like a fair way for us to approach it.
Much credit goes to the city for taking our idea seriously. In September, we received a formal reply stating that they would investigate the opportunity to install an on-street bike corral themselves. Maybe not directly in front of the bike shop, but somewhere within the vicinity.
After communicating about design ideas, a meeting was set up by Public Works in January with the Downtown BIA. We were humbled when we were invited along. After communicating with other businesses, the city gave the go ahead for a year-long trial.
Public Works prepares to install Hamilton's first bike corral
The corral will be on our block, just a few doors down from us and will use space taken from a nearby loading zone and some parking spaces. Luckily, this will all be accomplished simply by shrinking these existing oversize spaces and we won’t lose any of the car spaces nor the loading zones. This will ease other businesses into the idea, and if successful, we will hopefully see more of these throughout downtown.
This week the rough location markers went down in spray paint and we hope to see some construction very soon. We are crossing our fingers that this goes smoothly and we will report back when the racks are ready to use.
We plan to connect an outdoor camera to our security system to monitor these racks, providing a bit of extra peace of mind to those who lock up there.
Thanks to the Public Works department for giving this a go – we are sure that it will be well received by all downtown cyclists.
Thanks, Sean. Glad to see something like this at least being piloted. We need to continue to move forward!
Block by block, people need initiatives like yours, i.e. local pressure to make good things happen. Well done!
where is the coral going to be located?
Great work Sean! Can't wait to use it…
Congratulations! MUCH appreciated by the community!
Paula
Well done pandas…
Great work guys. Keep it up!
If this coral for bicycles is installed, it would be great to have interesting bike lock ups like in New York City. Even in Parkdale in Toronto
there are artist who have designed creative bike lock ups. The black commercial ones the City of Hamilton have been installing are ugly.
Hay good work to the people at Bike Hound ! James McLeod
Just what I need., a car slamming into my bike that is parked/locked up on the street.
Good idea., but I wouldn't ever park my bike on the street. It's safer locked up in a bike rack or a sign post on the sidewalk…..
The corral will be on John Street (West side) a few doors South of DBH. There will be bollards affixed to the pavement to prevent cars from entering the corral area.
There is hope.Thanks Sean,great idea. I keep saying to everyone "imagine if there were intersections where people had to get out of their cars and push them through".
thumbs UP!
Make that Two Thumbs up!