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Recommendation to authorize Department of Public Works to convert one parking space in the public right-of-way in front of 435 E. First Street into an on-street bike parking corral as a pilot project. (District 2)
DISCUSSION
Over the past two years, the City has installed over 400 bicycle racks in and around business districts and commercial corridors throughout the City. Demand for additional racks continues to increase, and the City Council recently approved the purchase of over 2,000 additional bike racks utilizing American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds. While demand for additional bike parking has grown, limited space has proven to be challenging in some commercial corridors where high pedestrian activity and high bicycle usage co-exist. This challenge is increased in neighborhoods where existing sidewalks are narrow.
Other cities facing similar challenges have begun to install bike corrals to relieve sidewalk congestion, including Portland, OR; San Francisco, CA; Columbia, MO; Tucson, AZ; New York City, NY; Key West, FL, and Seattle, WA. Bike corrals are grouped on-street bike parking installations placed in a single parking space or loading zone traditionally used to park a single automobile. A bike corral typically provides on-street parking for up to 10 bikes or more. Exhibit A shows examples of bike corrals in use in other cities.
Based on the experience of other cities, businesses, pedestrians, cyclists and motorists benefit from bike corrals in the following ways:
● Businesses: Corrals provide a 10 to 1 customer to parking space ratio and advertise "bike-friendliness." They also improve the outdoor cafe seating environment by removing locked bikes from the sidewalk and railing, and provide a buffer between parked cars and sidewalk dining.
● Pedestrians: Corrals clear the sidewalks and serve as de facto curb extensions.
● Bicyclists: Corrals increase the visibility of bicycling and improve cyclists' access to commercial corridors.
● Motorists: If placed near street corners, bike corrals have been found to improve visibility at intersections by eliminating the opportunity for larger vehicles to park and block their line of sight.
Public Works is seeking authorization from the City Council to convert one parking space in the East Village Arts District into a bike corral. The parking space is located in front of Long Beach Fixed Gear (LBFG) bike shop at 435 E. First Street, adjacent to Utopia Restaurant, as shown in Exhibit B. Staff met with the East Village Association, the owners of LBFG and Utopia, and consulted with the DLBA and other business owners on First Street to discuss this pilot project. There was broad support for the pilot project, although one business owner expressed concern about any loss of parking on the street. The success of this pilot project will be evaluated after 3 months, including interviews with surrounding business owners. If ineffective or if a negative impact results, the bike corral will be removed. If proven successful, additional requests may be considered and presented for Council approval on a case-by-case basis in other locations where demand exists and the surrounding business and residential communities are in support.
This letter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Burton on June 1, 2010 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on June 7, 2010.
SUSTAINABILITY
The installation of this bike corral will increase the access to the businesses on that commercial block by providing space for 10 bicycles instead of 1 car. In general, installing bike corrals in key commercial corridors increases the likelihood that customers will travel to those locations by bicycle rather than by car, eliminating pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, while promoting a more healthy and active lifestyle. Bike corrals will also visually reinforce the, bicycle-friendly culture of the city.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter at this time is not critical.
FISCAL IMPACT
No additional funding is required to implement this program. Bike parking equipment purchased with ARRA funding will be used to create the bike corral.
There are no local jobs impacted by this action.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
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MICHAEL P. CONWAY |
APPROVED: |
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DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS |
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PATRICK H. WEST |
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CITY MANAGER |