Friends of the Pacific Electric Trail: THE GREAT AMERICAN BIKE BOOM

The popularity of cycling has grown expediently recently during the covid-19 pandemic. With new cases still climbing, businesses struggling to stay afloat, and schools are weighing the risks of reopening, more and more of us are turning to our bicycles for a convenient way to commute and still abide by safe distancing. Bike sales have skyrocketed with back orders upwards of 3 months. Bike repair has also increased over 200% for those who want to tune up their old bikes and take them for a ride. Retailers and businesses that include amenities for the cyclists by offering additional bike parking, will benefit in the long run. When a shopping destination converts just one auto parking stall into a “Bike Parking Hub”, it can fit up to 10 bikes which translates to 10 more shoppers or restaurant guests.

According to the League of American Bicyclists, during the recent bike boom, roadways have become more dangerous for all road users. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that the number of pedestrians killed annually in motor vehicle crashes in the US has increased from about 4,400 in 2008 to almost 6,300 in 2018, a roughly 43 percent increase with bicycle fatalities climbing more than 6% in the past year alone.

TOP BICYCLE FRIENDLY CITIES BICYCLE ORDINANCES NATIONWIDE

According to GROUND CONTROL SYSTEMS

DAVIS, CA Platinum Level Bicycle Friendly Community. Staff has thoroughly investigated bicycle parking standards and have examined standards from several peer cities, including some European cities, Cal Green, and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). PORTLAND, OR Platinum Level Bicycle Friendly Community. Bicycle parking is required for most use categories to encourage the use of bicycles by providing safe and convenient places to park bicycles. These regulations ensure adequate short and long-term bicycle parking based on the demand generated by the different use categories and on the level of security necessary to encourage the use of bicycles for short and long stays. MADISON, WI Platinum Level Bicycle Friendly Community. On March 1, 1988, the Madison Common Council passed an ordinance requiring the provision of off-street bicycle parking for new developments, expansion of existing developments, and changes in use that would require additional parking. CAMBRIDGE, MA Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community. For new development and redevelopment projects, bicycle parking must be provided in accordance with zoning requirements. Locations and types of bike parking must be shown in building site plans and approved by the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department and the Community Development Department. Ensure that your bike racks are approved and well-used by following these guidelines

CORVALLIS, OR Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community. Bicycle use, particularly commuter use, is greatly influenced by availability of bicycle parking. Bicyclists need safe, well-lighted, dry, and convenient storage for their bicycles after arriving at their destination. EUGENE, OR Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community. The City of Eugene is interested in the effectiveness of its bicycle parking standards, particularly as they relate to development in the Downtown area. The City of Eugene contracted with the University of Oregon’s Community Planning Workshop (CPW) to assess bicycle parking standards. MINNEAPOLIS,MN Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community. Minneapolis is a popular city for bicycling, with an estimated 4.3% of commute trips made by bicycle in 2008 (U.S. Census Bureau). Having good places to lock bicycles is a key part of the bicycle transportation network, and Minneapolis is working toward providing more and better bike parking throughout the city. SEATTLE, WA Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community. The requirements for Downtown Seattle are contained in the Seattle Municipal Code, and the requirements for areas outside of Downtown are included in the Land Use Code. The Plan recommends updating these requirements to provide additional bicycle parking spaces

Photo by Ahshea1 Media from Pexels

SAN FRANCISCO, CA Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community. Provide parking facilities which are safe, secure, and convenient. 24 Bicycle parking facilities must provide reliable security, adequate bicycle support, 25 11 safety, and must be conveniently located. SANTA CRUZ, CA Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community. Bicycle parking facilities shall be provided for any new building, addition or enlargement of an existing building, or for any change in the occupancy of any new building that results in the need for additional auto parking facilities consistent with the parking variations allowed. AUSTIN, TX Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community. Bicycle parking is an integral part of comprehensive bicycle planning. It is not enough to develop and maintain a bicycle-friendly road system. People cannot be expected to use their bicycles for transportation unless secure bicycle parking facilities exist at their destinations, not dissimilar to the motor vehicle system. BURLINGTON, VT Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community. Bicycle parking is required for most use categories to encourage the use of bicycles by providing safe and convenient places to park bicycles. These regulations ensure adequate bicycle parking based on the demand generated by the different use categories and the level of security necessary to encourage the use of bicycles for short and long stays. CHICAGO, IL Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community. Providing convenient, secure places to park is an inexpensive and effective way to encourage bicycling.

NEW YORK, NY Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community. DOT’s City Racks provide free sidewalk bicycle parking racks throughout the five boroughs. Also, the availability of City Racks parking discourages cyclists from parking at mailboxes, parking meters, trees, and other sidewalk structures. SANTA MONICA, CA Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community. The recommended number of bicycle parking spaces and amenities to be considered for adoption into the City’s Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance. WASHINGTON, DC Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community Bicycle parking spaces shall be provided for office, retail and service uses, except for retail and service uses in the C-3-C (Medium Density Office, Retail, and Housing), C-4 (Central Business District), and C-5 (Pennsylvania Avenue) (PAD) districts LOS ANGELES, CA Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Community. The Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP) publishes a guide titled Bicycle Parking Guidelines, 2nd Edition (2010). This is an excellent resource for planners, architects, and developers who are interested in providing quality bicycle parking. The APBP guide provides examples of preferred bicycle parking facilities and provides guidance for setting ratios for bicycle parking ordinances. PITTSBURGH, PA Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Community Parking and Loading Access, to provide for and to incentivize bicycle parking in an effort to reduce car-related congestion in the City by promoting bicycle commuting and by requiring the provision of adequate and safe facilities for the storage of bicycles.

What does a post COVID-19 recovery plan look like? It must include adding bike parking for restaurants and businesses who want to capture more customers. Now, more than ever, is the time to flex those advocacy muscles to speak out on behalf of cyclists and pedestrian safety. Reach out, speak out, write about it, talk with your city planners about including safe transportation and parking for cyclists. Ask your favorite business owner about adding bicycle parking so that on your next visit, you can arrive at a bike with your family or friends. Let your voice be heard by reaching to your city and county official about what you want to see in the plan to emerge successfully from the COVID-19 pandemic. The important things going on in your community today are a direct result of someone else speaking up yesterday. The squeaky wheel gets the oil. Become a friend of the Pacific Electric Trail by becoming a guest author of a future blog article by submitting your article to Victoria.Jones@petrail.org