More Bike Racks Coming Soon to Downtown Birmingham
The three-part downtown bicycle parking plan was approved by the Birmingham City Commission on Monday night.
Photos
More bike racks will soon be coming to a downtown Birmingham sidewalk near you.
At its Monday night meeting, the Birmingham City Commission approved a plan to install 42 permanent bike racks, as well as five temporary bike racks, throughout downtown Birmingham, at city parks and Baldwin Public Library.
The installation is the first phase of a three-part project to beef up the number of bicycle racks throughout the city. Currently, there are two bike racks outside the library and at a few more at city parks.
The final plan calls for bike racks to be installed at more than 80 sites throughout the city over three years. According to City Planner Sue Weckerle, the second and third phase of the project will involve installation of additional bike racks in spring 2013 and 2014, depending on feedback from the city.
The costs for the first phase of the project, which will begin this year, are capped at $15,000, Weckerle said.
Why more bike racks? According to Weckerle, the limited amount of bike parking has resulted in bikes locked to everything from lamp posts to city parking meters.
The hope, Weckerle said, is that the new inverted U racks encourages cyclists to park their bikes safely and correctly.
"I think it would send a strong message to folks with bikes if we gave them a place to be," she said.
The temporary bike racks would also provide overflow parking in busy, pedestrian-heavy areas, including space adjacent to the outdoor dining decks at Phoenicia, Dick O'Dow's, Commonwealth and the Birmingham Farmers Market.
Commissioners were unanimously in favor of the plan, though there was a minor hiccup over the color of the bike racks. The recommended coating for the racks, which are manufactured by the Grand Rapids-based Cycle-Safe, will not damage, dent or scratch bicycles and does not rust. However, the coating only comes in black — nearly all outdoor fixtures in Birmingham are painted the iconic Birmingham green.
Commissioners eventually went with the black and in going forward with the plan, Mayor Mark Nickita said the bike racks are a good move for the city.
"This is going to send a strong message that we're in support of alternative travel," Nickita said.
Bike racks to be installed at dozens of locations the first year
During the first phase of the project, permanent bike racks will be installed in front of or near the following businesses, or at the following locations. In some cases, more than one bike rack will be installed at one location.
- South Bar (210 S. Old Woodward)
- The Custom Shop Clothiers (northwest corner of Old Woodward and Merrill)
- Chase Bank (southwest corner of Old Woodward and Merrill)
- Leo's Coney Island (154 S. Old Woodward)
- Biggby Coffee (108 S. Old Woodward)
- New Bangkok Thai (183 N. Old Woodward)
- Baci Salon and Spa (101 Willits)
- The crossing island at Old Woodward and Oakland
- Red The Salon (470 N. Old Woodward)
- Parking Lot No. 6 on North Old Woodward Avenue
- CVS (444 S. Old Woodward)
- Yoga Shelter (401 S. Old Woodward)
- Birmingham Place Condos (401 S. Old Woodward)
- Near the main entrance of the office building at 555 S. Old Woodward
- Anthropologie (214 W. Maple)
- Backcountry North (284 W. Maple)
- Roots (corner of Henrietta and Maple)
- The Italian Dish (288 E. Maple)
- Sotheby's (370 E. Maple)
- Bank of America (corner of Pierce and West Maple)
- City Hall (corner of Pierce and Martin)
- Pierce Street Parking Garage
- Margot European Day Spa (101 Townsend)
- Schubot Jewelers (230 Merrill)
- Surnow Company (320 Martin)
- Baldwin Public Library
- Shain Park (at the Martin/Henrietta entrance, the Bates/Martin entrance and the Bates/Townsend entrance)
In This article
-
Baldwin Public Library
300 W Merrill St, Birmingham, MI -
Phoenicia
588 S Old Woodward Ave, Birmingham, MI -
Dick O'Dow's
160 W Maple Rd, Birmingham, MI -
Commonwealth Cafe
300 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, MI -
South Bar
210 S Old Woodward Ave, Birmingham, MI -
Cicchini Custom Clothier
180 S Old Woodward Ave, Birmingham, MI
-
Chase
685 E Maple Rd, Birmingham, MI (Located inside the Kroger building at Maple/Woodward. Pull in front parking lot.) -
Leo's Coney Island
154 S Old Woodward Ave, Birmingham, MI -
Biggby Coffee
112 S Old Woodward Ave, Birmingham, MI -
New Bangkok Thai Bistro
183 N Old Woodward Ave, Birmingham, MI -
Red The Salon
470 N Old Woodward Ave, Birmingham, MI -
CVS
444 S Old Woodward Ave, Birmingham, MI -
Yoga Shelter
379 S Old Woodward Ave, Birmingham, MI -
Birmingham Place
401 S Old Woodward Ave, Birmingham, MI -
Anthropologie
214 W Maple Rd, Birmingham, MI -
Backcountry North
284 W Maple Rd, Birmingham, MI -
Roots Canada LTD
211 W Maple Rd, Birmingham, MI -
The Italian Dish
288 E Maple Rd, Birmingham, MI -
SKBK Sotheby's International
415 S Old Woodward Ave, Birmingham, MI -
Bank of America
99 W Maple Rd, Birmingham, MI -
Birmingham City Hall
151 Martin St, Birmingham, MI -
Pierce Street Parking Structure
Pierce St & Townsend St, Birmingham, MI -
Margot European Day Spa
101 Townsend St, Birmingham, MI -
Schubot Jewelers
230 E Merrill St, Birmingham, MI -
Shain Park
200 W Merrill St, Birmingham, MI
A.W.
8:36 am on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Really.....a SOUTH BAR location? Why are they the ONLY bar location on the list?
With the SHOOTINGS and STABBINGS that have been reported in "The Patch" and linked to South Bar and its clientelle, that would not be my first choice to rack a bike nearby.
Laura Houser
9:07 am on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Many of the bike rack locations were chosen because they're near bus stops. There is a bus stop just a few feet away from South.
A.W.
11:32 am on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
I do not appreciate being bullied or attacked by my comments.
Stan Galli
12:17 pm on Saturday, April 14, 2012
I've seen a list of your comments. You are a bully. I think Alan is just calling it like he sees it.
Stephanie
3:44 pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
I would be that the recommended coating for the racks, which are manufactured by the Grand Rapids-based Cycle-Safe, WOULD INDEED be damage, dent or scratch on the bike racks themselves if they were struck by bullets being shot by guns of SOUTH BAR clients, or could be damaged by FORKS that have known to stab SOUTH BAR employees.
The same SOUTH BAR client's bullets or forks used to stab SOUTH BAR EMPLOYEES could damage bikes as well.
Suggestion: If you are pedaling past the South Bar, for your safety.....KEEP PEDALLING!!!
Dave Brown
8:55 am on Sunday, April 15, 2012
I would suggest installing racks a space or two along Willets (use the parallel spaces?) in the parking lot next to the North Old Woodward Structure. The list is a very good start, but there also needs to be a larger bike parking area at Booth Park.