City proposes adding 74 bicycle parking spaces downtown

This sketch shows a proposed bike corral design for installation near Eighth and Massachusetts streets. (Rendering flipped horizontally from original image to more accurately reflect street layout.)

Lawrence transportation planners are proposing the addition of 74 bicycle parking spaces downtown, according to a city memorandum released Monday.

A proposal includes the installation of 22 inverted U racks. It also calls for replacing two vehicle parking spaces — one at the intersection of Eighth and Massachusetts streets and one at 100 East Ninth St. — with “bike corrals,” each holding up to 10 bikes. A third bike corral is proposed for an unallocated space in front of the Lawrence Public Library at 707 Vermont St.

According to the memo, the Lawrence-Douglas County Bicycle Advisory Committee has recently heard requests from downtown business owners and others for more — and more efficient — bicycle parking.

Some people have said there is not enough parking at high-demand locations such as the Lawrence Public Library, event venues and restaurants, the memo states. Others have said the location and style of current bike racks are inconvenient.

“Finding well located, secure bicycle racks downtown is a challenge, based on comments the BAC (Bicycle Advisory Committee) has received,” the memo states.

The city is seeking to apply for a LiveWell Community Wellness grant to help fund the materials and installation, which would cost an estimated $12,600.

Before the grant application can be submitted by its Oct. 22 deadline, the proposal must be approved by the Bicycle Advisory Committee at its Oct. 19 meeting, and then by the City Commission on Oct. 20.

Jessica Mortinger, senior transportation planner with Lawrence-Douglas County Planning & Development Services, said that if the plan receives approval and funding is secured, downtown property owners and tenants would be notified and brought into the discussion.

“This is the plan to say, ‘Here’s what we’re thinking it could cost, let’s see what funding we can get,'” Mortinger said. “There still needs to be public process in soliciting additional feedback and considering it before we install anything.”

The locations for three bike corrals and 22 inverted U racks are only preliminary, Mortinger said, and would be finalized later if the proposal moves forward.

The proposal includes 16 inverted U racks along Massachusetts Street from Sixth Street to 12th Street — some midblock — and others off side streets.

Inverted U racks would be installed on existing pavement on the perimeter of the sidewalks.

Mortinger said the proposal does not alter current city codes, which prohibit bicycling on downtown sidewalks and allow locking bikes to parking meter posts, as long as they’re not designated for disabled parking.

A recent count of downtown parking found there are 306 spaces for bicycles and 4,083 for vehicles, according to the memo, which later states, “Downtown is a destination for bicyclists, and the current inventory does not meet the ratio the City requires for commercial development.”

Half of existing downtown bicycle parking does not meet guidelines set by the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals, which recommends racks that allow cyclists to lock their bikes in two places in order to prevent theft or damage.

Inverted U racks and bike corrals meet the association’s standards, according to the memo.

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The memo states the corrals could “reduce sidewalk congestion,” “bring legitimacy and visibility to bicycling for transportation,” and, depending on location, “improve sight lines at intersections by eliminating the opportunity for larger vehicles to park at street corners.”

“That’s one side of the story in terms of what they are,” Mortinger said earlier this month. “They are a value judgment in terms of valuing that space as a parking space.”

Mortinger said the additional parking is a one-time proposal but that the city needs a systematic process for local businesses and community groups to request and fund more bike parking in the future.

A separate memo released Monday proposes installing four bicycle repair stands across Lawrence.

The stands provide tools necessary to perform basic bike repairs, such as changing a flat tire or adjusting brakes.

A repair stand was installed in front of City Hall earlier this year after the Bicycle Advisory Committee recommended it as a pilot location.

The memo states the stand “has been popular” and suggest locating others at: the Burroughs Creek Trail parking lot on 15th Street, the North Lawrence Levee Trail Head parking lot, the Rotary Arboretum Trail parking lot and near the library.

City staff are also seeking to apply for a LiveWell Community Wellness grant to help fund that estimated $7,044 project.

The Bicycle Advisory Committee will meet Oct. 19 at 5 p.m. at the Parks and Recreation conference room, 1141 Massachusetts St. The committee will be asked to direct city staff to apply for the LiveWell grants.