Bike Parking For Your Business
Every bicycle trip begins and ends with the need for a safe and secure place to park one’s bike.
These are the last few days that the City of Lakewood will be taking applications for bike racks for their one-time purchase of bike racks for businesses throughout the city. The cost-sharing program works like this – the business pays for the rack and the city will install it on their own dime.
Why invest in bike parking?
By providing secure and adequate bicycle parking you can let business patrons know that they and their bikes are welcome. This then equates to a number of benefits for businesses and customers alike: increases the overall parking capacity at little cost, increases sales opportunities from cyclists who visit your business, helps the business gain a competitive edge by attracting bicycling customers, and also allows users to bundle trips with like-minded businesses.
What are the requirements?
The City will make a one-time purchase in 2012. You must register for a bike rack before the deadline on Friday, July 13, 2012. The City will accept the first 20 qualifying applicants for the 2012 program.
Racks are to be installed in the public right-of-way and must be made available for public use. Racks are powder-coated blue and will be surface mounted on sidewalks.
Talk to your neighbors and local business owners, especially those you visit frequently and encourage them to coordinate with adjacent businesses on a rack location for their patrons.
Businesses and organizations will pay for the material cost only and The City will cover costs of shipping and installation. Different bike rack styles are being offered. An “Inverted U” or “Post & Ring” racks are available. The Inverted U racks have already begun to be installed in Downtown Lakewood over the past couple of months. Post and Ring Racks can be free standing or installed on an existing parking meter post. The City is also encouraging business owners to custom design bike racks for their customers. If your business is interested in a custom-designed rack, contact Lakewood’s Department of Planning and Development.
Apply ASAP!
To apply email Bryce Sylvester at bryce.sylvester@lakewoodoh.net and include the following information: (1) Name of business, establishment or organization (2) Address of proposed location (3) Name, address and daytime phone number of person making request (4) Number of racks requested and (5) Three available times that the contact person can meet the city planner at the proposed location. Please include any additional information such as rack preference or desire for a custom rack.