Can a Bike-Friendly Downtown Provide a Low-Cost Boost of Vitality?
A sustainability professional shared her Long Beach experience with bike advocates in a presentation at 359 State Street.
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Can a "bike-friendly bike district" be good for business? Can "bike haters" become bike supporters?
April Economides, a consultant who helped set up four in the city of Long Beach, told a small group gathered at 359 State Street that she'd seen just that in her year-long experience said Gary Hedden, a member of Greentown Los Altos, which sponsored the talk.
The Nov. 21 presentation took place at the new community meeting space in the back of the store, which caters to bike commuters and everyday cyclists. Hedden filed this report:
With a $72,000 grant, April Economides worked with merchants to set up four Bike-Friendly Business Districts, using their feedback on what they thought might work.
A lot of them started by saying they "hate bikes" because they clutter the sidewalks, run into people and just get in the way.
She pointed out some benefits: biking is popular so there is a large and largely untapped source of customers, bikers will shop locally, it can be fun for families to get out on a bike shopping excursion, and it frees up parking for people who still really need their cars.
So the merchants agreed to give it a try and now use a bike-sharing program, bike valets, support regular bike-repair days, and have bike discount Saturdays that bring in customers.
Long Beach has collected $18,000,000 in grants to build up the bike infrastructure, and that certainly helps the bike community, but the BFBD was created by the merchants for very little money and is not a "top down" program directed by the city.
Some of the bike haters are now big bike supporters.
Economides' website has more information: http://greenoctopus.net
The BFBD is a part of a larger initiative, Project RENEW (Renew Environments for Nutrition, Exercise, and Wellness), "which seeks to implement policy, systems and environmental changes to improve nutrition, increase physical activity and reduce obesity, especially in disadvantaged communities." RENEW L.A. County is made possible by funding from the Department of Health and Human Services through the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
commuter
8:39 am on Sunday, November 27, 2011
The biggest thing downtown Los Altos needs is more bicycle parking. Bike racks are currently few and far between. The number one reason that many people drive instead of bicycling is the fear of getting your bicycle stolen when you are inside a store or restaurant. Check out that giant bicycle rack outside the Coupa Cafe in Palo Alto. That lets a dozen or more customers park right outside the cafe instead of having to circle the streets in their cars.
L.A. Chung
8:35 am on Monday, November 28, 2011
That's a very good point about bicycle racks. Once you've spent hard-earned money on a bike, you don't want to go into a business if you can't park it close by that is secure. With all the money spent downtown on improvements, it seems in hindsight that some bike racks could included in the planning.
commuter
8:54 am on Monday, November 28, 2011
Some stores will let a single bicyclist bring their bike into the store for safety. However, if a family of 4 tries to bike to downtown Los Altos, they are really out of luck. Many businesses won't have room for 4 bikes inside and even if you can find an outdoor bike rack, it will probably hold only 2 bikes at a time. Los Altos is very bicycle unfriendly towards people who want to spend money in town.
April Economides
8:14 pm on Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Thank you for this coverage, L.A. Chung.
Safe, accessible bike parking is an essential component for a bicyclist-friendly downtown. Bicyclists, just like car drivers, need safe and nearby parking to shop and dine in your district. Attractive and plentiful racks are key. (So is choosing the right lock... a u-lock that fits around the frame and front tire [and bike rack] is ideal.)
Downtown Los Altos is an extremely charming Main Street. Bike racks, a merchant bike share, discounts for bicyclists, and family-friendly community rides and events would go a long way in increasing the economic vitality of the district while reducing car parking issues. Remember, creating and maintaining car parking is more expensive to the city and taxpayers than bike parking. And the bike local-buy local business case is strong. This is why cities and neighborhoods are starting programs like Bike-Friendly Business Districts, Bike-Friendly Business programs, bike share programs, and so on. It's makes $EN$E.
Cheers,
ae
Val Carpenter
8:53 am on Sunday, December 11, 2011
FYI, the City of Los Altos will nearly double the number of bike racks downtown when the current infrastructure projects are completed - from 14 before the intersection work began to a planned 27. It still may not be enough but at least it's a start.
commuter
9:54 am on Sunday, December 11, 2011
How many bikes can each of these racks hold? Are these the small racks for 2 bikes or the larger ones for 8 or 12 bikes each? Thanks.
commuter
1:49 pm on Sunday, December 11, 2011
Here's a good article about how the lack of bicycle parking discourages customers: http://bicycling.com/blogs/roadrights/2011/12/09/in-war-over-parking-cyclists-look-to-lock-their-bikes-legally/
Safe bicycle parking is a cheap way to bring more customers into your store.