Later this afternoon a group of people will meet up at City Hall to determine what course we will take regarding bike locking features in Buffalo. It is my hope that we can come up with a plan where a combination of bike racks and parking pole rings will be the ultimate solution to this recent dilemma. Thanks to everyone who called and sent emails in support of the bike-friendly measures – your words of encouragement (and knowledge) will be taken to City Hall this afternoon. In the meantime, parking meters are no longer being pulled until a decision of some sort is reached.
I am also compiling the comments left on recent posts to take with me. The two images above were provided by BRO viewers – the left is of a parking meter program in Saratoga and the right is of a parking meter-to-art conversion project in Syracuse. Here are just a few of those emails in support of leaving a few of the parking poles in place. Also, stay tuned for information on an upcoming bike pole benefit – if all goes well at City Hall today:
Instead of removal, I would like to see the poles capped for now. When the meter is removed it can be capped by a plastic cap. It would be an inexpensive way to delay removal until a solution can be reached. Examples can be seen at Elmwood Village Charter School. I think the Allentown Association would pay for the few we would need on Allen – Andrew
I am in favor of the “Meter Parking Poles” transformation into public “Bike Racks”. – Janet
I wholeheartedly support the parking meter conversion to bike racks. It’s been done in other cities and makes a world of sense, especially given the increased bike traffic we’re seeing now. This is what Saratoga Springs did: (See photo above left – the project was made possible by a young guy who recently passed through Buffalo pedaling his bicycle benefit program) – David
Just caught up on a few of the stories I have missed… excellent idea about the bikes using the old meters if that should ever happen to be. – Judith
I decided to send a similar message with ordinance attached to all the TV news departments, Don Esmonde at the News, Mark Scott at WBFO, Buffalo First, Benderson, Plaza Group, Uniland, the mayor, and various council members. – Tom
I would love to donate $25 towards the bike rack/parking meter resolution. I’d also be interested in any type of gathering/protest or whatever. Let me know where to send the check. Keep fighting the good fight, plenty of people have your back and are willing to help. – Paul
When and where is the Friday meeting on bike racks? I’ll donate towards one on Delaware in front of my chiropractor’s office. – Sharon
Making these parking meters into bike racks is a great idea. I would definitely use them. It is a pain finding a place for my bike in the city. And they are already there. The city wouldn’t have to tear them down which would save them money. Good solution! – Richard
I actually saw the mess on Elmwood near Faherty’s when I was walking with my 2 year old daughter. Crazy! If she fell on one of those? plus it is unsightly and Bike racks – much better idea altogether. – Summer
I’m a native of NJ who’ll be moving to Buffalo from London for work and school this summer. I cycle in London most days and I’m hoping to be able to do the same when I move to Buffalo. The idea that the government is knowingly deterring cyclists from spending their money in town is appalling. This is yet another example of the people in power being too scared to try something different. I hope that the affected businesses will contribute to save some locking places. It would be great if you’re able to publish the names of the businesses who embrace your ideas and buy a ring. I’d gladly spend my money with these businesses knowing that it would be going somewhere with at least a semblance of a progressive attitude. Keep up your good work (I read BR daily to get an idea of how my new home city will be), and I truly hope that it will not all be in vain. – Pat
Turning the old parking meters into bike racks is a no-brainer. Why can’t the city leaders get that?! – Sheri
Watson’s Candies will donate $25 towards a bike rack near our Elmwood store. Also, if there is anything else I can do regarding this please let me know. Thanks – Dennis
It seems that the city can’t abide by its own charter so there really are problems here. – Jim
Here’s something that might help shame the city into doing something. It’s the bike parking ordinance that requires businesses to provide parking for bicycles (see attached to follow). -Tom
§307-15.2. Bicycle parking.
[Added 5-31-2005, effective 6-10-2005]
A. Bicycle parking facilities shall be provided for any new building, addition, parking lot or enlargement of an existing building, or any change in the occupancy of any new building that results in the need for additional auto parking facilities.
B. For proposed nonresidential uses in the Central Business District and all other business districts located within the City of Buffalo, as noted in the current Zoning Ordinance, having off-street parking requirements of 20 spaces or more, a number of off-street bicycle parking spaces shall be provided equal to 5%) of the automobile parking space requirement. Subject to approval by the Common Council for the proposed parking areas, the required automobile parking spaces may be reduced at the ratio of one auto space for each six bicycle spaces provided, except that under no circumstances may the required number be reduced by more than 5%.
C. The Commissioner of Public Works shall adopt rules and regulations establishing the dimensional and equipment standards for bicycle parking areas on private property along with designated areas in the City right-of-way and specifics as to number of racks in a particular area according to need.
D. The Department of Public Works shall oversee the allowable use of right-of-way for spaces, along with sufficient separation from motor vehicle parking areas to protect parked bicycles from damage by motor vehicles. This may be accomplished by grade separation, distance or physical barrier, such as curbs, wheel stops or other similar features.
E. For proposed nonresidential sites having an off-street requirement of 20 spaces or more, a number of off-street bicycle parking spaces shall be provided equal to 5% of the automobile parking space requirement. Each inverted “U” provided would count as two bicycle parking spaces.
F. Types of bicycle apparatus.
(1) The inverted U-type bicycle rack:
(a) Inverted “U” bike racks shall consist of three to five inverted “U”s mounted 30 inches on-center via base plate rails to create a freestanding array. The inverted “U”s shall be made from one-and-one-half-inch eleven-gauge steel tubing bent to measure 33 inches high, 18 inches wide (minimum dimensions) with a gloss back polyester powder coat finish (or approved equal). The rails shall be two-inch-by-one-inch rectangular steel tubing similarly finished with mounting holes and supplied with vandal-resistant concrete anchor mounting hardware for surface installation to existing concrete.
(b) Each “U” shall be mounted to the rails via vandal resistant or hidden fasteners, which preclude the dismantling of the rack once assembled and installed. In some situations, individual “U”s may be preferable to a base plate array assembly of “U”s installed parallel to and behind the curb in business districts where sidewalk space is limited.
(2) Individual inverted “U” (non-base array) alternative: Individual “U”s to be surface mounted directly to existing concrete shall have a pair of 6 3/4 inches by two inches steel base plates (minimum dimensions) with two bolt holes each.
(3) Use of alternative noninverted “U” bicycle parking racks: As stated above, the inverted “U” is the first choice for all applications. At the discretion of the City Bicycle and Pedestrian Planner, other bicycle security devices may be approved for use in unusual circumstances. Any such alternate security device submitted for approval must provide for:
(a) Supporting the bike frame at two locations (not just a wheel);
(b) Allowing both the frame and at least one wheel to be locked to the rack;
(c) Allowing the use of either a cable or U-type lock;
(d) Bicycles which are equipped with water bottle cages;
(e) Bicycles which are not equipped with kick stands;
(f) All types and sizes of bicycles, including various types and sizes of frames, wheel sizes and tire widths.
G. Bicycle parking lockers. Bicycle parking lockers are specifically encouraged for assigned use by employees and bicycle commuters. Bicycle parking capacity provided via lockers will be considered as being in compliance with these rules.
H. Location of bicycle parking racks. Whenever possible, the racks should be placed within 50 feet of building entrances where bicyclists would naturally transition to pedestrian mode. The rack placement would ideally allow for visual monitoring by people within the building and/or people entering the building. The placement of the racks should minimize conflicts with both pedestrians and motorized traffic. All bicycle parking provided should be on concrete and located a minimum of 24 inches from a parallel wall and 30 inches from a perpendicular wall (as measured to the closest inverted). Sufficient space, to be a minimum of 24 inches, shall be provided beside each parked bicycle to allow access.
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