Sidewalk extensions are another varia- The City of Portland just added four bike
tland
ton on the theme. For an extra $30,000 or corrals, replacing six parking spaces and or
so, users get a more “constructed” area, bringing the city’s total to 10. Local busi-
it
y of P
often covered, with a display point for nesses, business associations and neigh-
bike safety and other materials. Portland, borhoods paid for the first ones, but the
t
esy C
our
OR decided these are too expensive, opt- recent additions are funded by the City’s
o c
ing for a greater number of parking space Bike Parking Fund. Portland supports that
Phot
corrals, but remains interested in devel- fund with money collected from develop-
oping other covered options. ers who opt out of the city’s bike parking
code requirements.
Safety
Figliozzi says the parking structures
embody the city’s goal of “making cycling
Safety is a concern with people and bikes
in Portland irresistible.”
in the street, so bike corral boundaries
Columbia, MO built its first bike corral
are sometimes lined with black and yel-
last spring with a grant from the Federal
low reflective flexible poles, encouraging
Highway Administration’s Non-Motorized
sidewalk access and fending off cars. Cor-
Transportation Pilot program, and plans to
rals are usually installed in corner parking
install three more bike corrals before 2010.
spaces, adding the safety benefit of more
The city left the parking meter in place at
visibility around the corner for pedestri-
the first corral and is asking for donations
Portland uses blue corrals (opposite and
ans and drivers.
from bikers, which they hope will help
above) to create visual identity and send a
Sarah Figliozzi, Portland’s Bicycle Pro-
fund biking infrastructure in the future.
consistent welcoming message.
gram Specialist, said businesses advocate
Bike corrals are an affordable, effective
for bike corrals at their storefronts be-
and a readily available response to the
Do you have stories about or photos of bike
cause they clean up the sidewalk area and
growing popularity of cycling. Cyclists
corrals in your community? Share them at
say, “I’m bike friendly” at the same time.
like and use them and business owners
CitiesGoGreen.com.
She said the city tries to place corrals in
like the additional traffic. And pedestrians
predictable places near key destinations,
can walk on the sidewalk without fear of
so not all business fronts are ideal spaces.
Below: The first bike corral in Columbia, MO is
tripping over pedals.
full most of the time, and the city plans more
to accommodate the overflow.
Photo courtesy Corri Flaker-GetaboutColumbia.com
© Verde Publishing, Inc. CitiesGoGreen.com 3 of 2
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3